Recess — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈrē-ˌses/ re·cess

Meaning & Definition of Recess

Recess (noun)

  1. the action of receding, recession
  2. a hidden, secret, or secluded place or part
  3. indentation, cleft

Recess (verb)

  1. to put into a recess
  2. to make a recess in
  3. to interrupt for a recess

Recess (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a hollowed-out space in a wall

    "the curator placed the large vase in one of the recesses of the gallery wall"

    similar: alcove, niche, nook
    related: corner, cranny, cubbyhole, cubicle, dent, embrasure, indent, indentation, indenture, ambry, housing, shrine

  2. a period during which the usual routine of school or work is suspended

    "the couple goes to Florida every January for a month-long recess from the rigors of winter"

    similar: break, holiday (chiefly British), hols (British), leave, vacation
    related: sabbatical, furlough, liberty, breather, relaxation, respite, rest, interim, intermission, interval, feast, holy day, legal holiday, idling, loafing, lounging, slacking

  3. a momentary halt in an activity

    "the judge called for a brief recess so that the witness could regain her composure"

    similar: break, breath, breather, interruption, lull, pause
    related: time-out, interim, interlude, intermission, interval, respite, rest, cessation, discontinuance, downtime, ending, expiration, finishing, hitch, lapse, stoppage, stopping, termination, abeyance, moratorium, surcease, suspension, discontinuity, gap, hiatus
    near: continuation, endurance, persistence, progress, progression, extension, prolongation

  4. a sunken area forming a separate space

    "decided to camp in a sandy recess where the beach met the forest"

    similar: cavity, concavity, dent, depression, dint, hole, hollow, indentation, indenture, pit
    related: burrow, cave, cavern, ditch, excavation, furrow, groove, gutter, trench, trough, basin, bowl, valley, alcove, cleft, niche, nook, opening, socket, alveolus, dimple, gouge, impression, imprint, notch, pocket, borehole, chuckhole, crater, posthole, pothole, sinkhole, wallow, water hole, well, abyss, chasm, gulf, vacuity, vacuum, void
    opposite: bulge, camber, convexity, jut, projection, protrusion, protuberance
    near: hill, mound, rise, bump, bunch, hump, lump, pimple, swell, swelling, tumor

Recess (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to bring to a formal close for a period of time

    "the judge recessed the court for lunch"

    similar: adjourn, prorogate, prorogue, suspend
    related: break off, disband, discontinue, disperse, intermit, interrupt, defer, hold off, postpone, put off, reserve, shelve, table, dissolve, end, halt, stop, terminate, break up, close, conclude, wind up, wrap up, abort, call, call off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind, revoke, abrogate, annul, invalidate, negate, nullify, quash, void
    near: inaugurate, launch, open, carry on, continue, draw out, extend, proceed, prolong, renew, reopen, resume, assemble, call, convene, convoke, muster, rally, summon

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Recess

The most common words with a similar meaning to Recess:

Chiefly British: holiday
British: hols
alcove, niche, nook, break, leave, vacation, breath, breather, interruption, lull, pause, cavity, concavity, dent, depression, dint, hole, hollow, indentation, indenture, pit, adjourn, prorogate, prorogue, suspend

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Recess

Words with the opposite meaning of Recess:

bulge, camber, convexity, jut, projection, protrusion, protuberance

Related Words for Recess

corner, cranny, cubbyhole, cubicle, embrasure, indent, ambry, housing, shrine, sabbatical, furlough, liberty, relaxation, respite, rest, interim, intermission, interval, feast, holy day, legal holiday, idling, loafing, lounging, slacking, time-out, interlude, cessation, discontinuance, downtime

Near Antonyms of Recess

continuation, endurance, persistence, progress, progression, extension, prolongation, hill, mound, rise, bump, bunch, hump, lump, pimple, swell, swelling, tumor, inaugurate, launch, open, carry on, continue, draw out, extend, proceed, prolong, renew, reopen, resume

Word Forms of Recess

Inflections: recessed, recessing, recesses

Origin & Etymology of Recess

Latin recessus, from recedere to recede

First known use: 1531

Frequently Asked Questions about Recess

What does "Recess" mean?

"Recess" means the action of receding, recession. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the action of receding, recession. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Recess"?

Other words for "Recess" include alcove, niche, nook, break, holiday, hols, leave and vacation. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Recess" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Recess"?

There are 147 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Recess". Common alternatives include alcove, niche, nook, break, holiday, hols, leave, vacation, breath and breather.

What is the opposite of "Recess"?

Antonyms of "Recess" include bulge, camber, convexity, jut, projection, protrusion and protuberance. Near antonyms include continuation, endurance, persistence and progress.

How do you use "Recess" in a sentence?

Examples of "Recess" in a sentence: "the curator placed the large vase in one of the recesses of the gallery wall"; "the couple goes to Florida every January for a month-long recess from the rigors of winter"; "the judge called for a brief recess so that the witness could regain her composure".

Is "Recess" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Recess" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Recess"?

"Recess" is pronounced /ˈrē-ˌses/ and divided into syllables as re·cess.

What is the origin of the word "Recess"?

"Recess" comes from Latin recessus, from recedere to recede. First known use: 1531.