re·ces·sion
ri-ˈse-shən 
plural recessions
1
: the act or action of receding : withdrawal
the recession of floodwaters
The exposed roots of teeth, commonly caused by gum recession, can be protected by using a composite resin in combination with an adhesive resin.—
American Dental Association
American Dental Association2
economics
: a period of significantly reduced general economic activity that is marked especially by declines in employment and production and that lasts more than a few months
The country is in a recession.
a period of economic recession
The spurt of economic growth that usually follows recessions isn't in sight this time.—David Wessel
compare depression sense 2a
David Wessel3
: a departing procession (as of clergy and choir at the end of a church service)
re·ces·sion
(ˌ)rē-ˈse-shən
: the act of ceding back to a former possessor
Synonyms
Examples of recession in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the country is just coming out of a recession, so expect to see fewer layoffs and more new jobs in the coming year
a retiring CEO making a gradual recession from the daily rigors of running a major corporation
Recent Examples on the Web
Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
The most recent of the recorded bankruptcy filings was for Trump Entertainment Resorts in 2009, following the 2008 recession.
—Ryan Smith, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
The fires struck as California’s economy was still recovering from the brief but sharp recession that hit the state five years ago when Newsom ordered shutdowns to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2025
Why Businesses Are Bracing Here’s a somewhat sobering fact: Including the Covid-19 crisis, the U.S. has endured 14 recessions since the Great Depression.
—Vidya Plainfield, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for recession 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The recession of the early nineties briefly shrank the business.
—Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
The most recent of the recorded bankruptcy filings was for Trump Entertainment Resorts in 2009, following the 2008 recession.
—Ryan Smith, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
The fires struck as California’s economy was still recovering from the brief but sharp recession that hit the state five years ago when Newsom ordered shutdowns to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2025
Why Businesses Are Bracing Here’s a somewhat sobering fact: Including the Covid-19 crisis, the U.S. has endured 14 recessions since the Great Depression.
—Vidya Plainfield, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for recession
Dictionary Entries Near recession
Cite this Entry
“Recession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recession. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
recession
noun
re·ces·sion
ri-ˈsesh-ən
: pathological withdrawal of tissue from its normal position
advanced gum recession
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share