recessional

American  

[ri-sesh-uh-nl] / rɪˈsɛʃ ə nl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a recession of the clergy and choir after the service.

2. of or relating to a recess, as of a legislative body.

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noun

1. a hymn or other piece of music played at the end of a service while the congregation is filing out.

recessional British  

/ rɪˈsɛʃənəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to recession

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noun

1. a hymn sung as the clergy and choir withdraw from the chancel at the conclusion of a church service

Etymology

Origin of recessional

First recorded in 1865–70; recession ¹ + -al ¹

Example Sentences

That was the time of Rudyard Kipling’s “long recessional” and A. E. Housman’s “land of lost content.”

From New York Times

Hidden Horns As a surprise to guests, the couple hired the band Hudson Horns to play for their recessional.

From New York Times

Her brothers, Sandy and James McIntryre, escorted her; Sandy, who would later lead a recessional while playing bagpipes, wore a kilt.

From New York Times

A good “old school singalong song,” he said his wife’s family introduced it to him, and the couple used it as the recessional song at their wedding.

From Washington Post

Set to the tune of "This Little Light of Mine," which the couple used for the recessional, the pair's behind-the-scenes snaps showcase the joy of their historic wedding day.

From Fox News