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
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
Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
The threat of mounting risk comes as a hiring slowdown stokes recession fears and inflation proves difficult to fully contain.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2025
If the Fed cuts rates deeper than expected, Sohn said, Wall Street could interpret the move as a signal that the Fed is worried that the economy is heading into a recession.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Tennessee has amassed more than $2 billion in a rainy day fund, designed to be used to accommodate unexpected shortfalls in state revenues, and amid emergencies such as natural disasters and recessions.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recession
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Noun
After the recession in 2008, P&G shifted its strategy to create more premium products that couldn’t be easily substituted with cheaper private label versions.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
The threat of mounting risk comes as a hiring slowdown stokes recession fears and inflation proves difficult to fully contain.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2025
If the Fed cuts rates deeper than expected, Sohn said, Wall Street could interpret the move as a signal that the Fed is worried that the economy is heading into a recession.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Tennessee has amassed more than $2 billion in a rainy day fund, designed to be used to accommodate unexpected shortfalls in state revenues, and amid emergencies such as natural disasters and recessions.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recession
Cite this Entry
“Recession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recession. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
recession
noun
re·ces·sion
ri-ˈsesh-ən
: pathological withdrawal of tissue from its normal position
advanced gum recession
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