recession
rih-SEHSHN
Recession (noun) means a period of reduced economic activity, typically marked by falling output and rising unemployment. Example: “The country fell into a recession after the banking crisis.”
noun
1
A period of reduced economic activity, typically marked by falling output and rising unemployment.
"The country fell into a recession after the banking crisis."
"Many small businesses closed during the recession."
"During the recession, my uncle struggled to find any work for nearly two years."
2
The act of gradually withdrawing or moving back.
"The recession of the glacier has been tracked for decades."
"Scientists measured the recession of the shoreline after each winter storm."
"The slow recession of the floodwater let residents return to their homes."
How to use recession
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually means an economic downturn, but can also mean any gradual withdrawal or retreat.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fall into recession
a global recession
recession-proof
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Word forms
- Plural
- recessions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The country fell into a _____ after the banking crisis.
Etymology
From Latin recessio, from recedere ("to withdraw").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for recession
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for recession →
Frequently asked questions
What does “recession” mean?
The word “recession” means a period of reduced economic activity, typically marked by falling output and rising unemployment. In plain terms, usually means an economic downturn, but can also mean any gradual withdrawal or retreat.
How do you pronounce “recession”?
“Recession” is pronounced rih-SEHSHN (/ɹɪˈsɛʃn̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “recession” in a sentence?
Here is “recession” used in a sentence: “The country fell into a recession after the banking crisis.”
What part of speech is “recession”?
“Recession” is a noun.
Where does the word “recession” come from?
The word “recession” comes from Latin. From Latin recessio, from recedere ("to withdraw").
Is “recession” a common word?
“Recession” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “recession” have?
“Recession” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a period of reduced economic activity, typically marked by falling output and rising unemployment.
What is the difference between a recession and a depression?
A recession is a period of reduced economic activity marked by falling output and rising unemployment, while a depression is a far more severe and prolonged downturn. Economists generally treat a depression as an extreme, long-lasting form of recession rather than a separate category with its own fixed definition.
What is the difference between a recession and a slowdown?
A slowdown refers to economic growth becoming weaker without necessarily turning negative, while a recession specifically involves output actually falling and unemployment rising. Not every slowdown becomes a recession, but every recession involves at least some period of economic contraction.
Can recession refer to something other than the economy?
Yes, recession also has a more general sense meaning the act of gradually withdrawing or moving back, as in a receding tide or a receding hairline. This older, broader meaning is where the economic sense derives from, since a recession involves the economy 'receding' from previous growth.
