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Synonyms

recession

1 American  
[ri-sesh-uhn] / rɪˈsɛʃ ən /

noun

  1. the act of receding recede or withdrawing.

  2. a receding recede part of a wall, building, etc.

  3. a withdrawing procession, as at the end of a religious service.

  4. Economics. a period of an economic contraction, sometimes limited in scope or duration.


recession 2 American  
[ree-sesh-uhn] / riˈsɛʃ ən /

noun

  1. a return of ownership to a former possessor.


recession 1 British  
/ rɪˈsɛʃən /

noun

  1. a temporary depression in economic activity or prosperity

  2. the withdrawal of the clergy and choir in procession from the chancel at the conclusion of a church service

  3. the act of receding

  4. a part of a building, wall, etc, that recedes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

recession 2 British  
/ riːˈsɛʃən /

noun

  1. the act of restoring possession to a former owner

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

recession Cultural  
  1. A general business slump, less severe than a depression.


Etymology

Origin of recession1

First recorded in 1640–50, recession is from the Latin word recessiōn- (stem of recessiō ). See recess, -ion

Origin of recession1

First recorded in 1885–90; re- + cession

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The technology sector is so dynamic that winners emerge even during recessions.

From Barron's

Big picture: The U.S. is still expanding and a recession seems far away, but the economy is not trouble-free.

From MarketWatch

Their next most-cited obstacles—an economic downturn, recession, and tariffs—only compound that uncertainty.

From Barron's

She started her career as a stringer for the Chicago Tribune, covering local government in the city’s northern suburbs during the 2009 recession.

From The Wall Street Journal

Extremely low rates like that are considered only suitable when the economy is in recession or experiences a crisis like the pandemic.

From MarketWatch