recession

¹ American  

[ri-sesh-uhn] / rɪˈsɛʃ ən /

noun

1. the act of receding recede or withdrawing.

2. a receding recede part of a wall, building, etc.

3. a withdrawing procession, as at the end of a religious service.

4. Economics. a period of an economic contraction, sometimes limited in scope or duration.

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recession ² American  

[ree-sesh-uhn] / riˈsɛʃ ən /

noun

1. a return of ownership to a former possessor.

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recession ¹ British  

/ rɪˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. a temporary depression in economic activity or prosperity

2. the withdrawal of the clergy and choir in procession from the chancel at the conclusion of a church service

3. the act of receding

4. a part of a building, wall, etc, that recedes

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recession ² British  

/ riːˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. the act of restoring possession to a former owner

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recession Cultural  

1. A general business slump, less severe than a depression.

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Etymology

Origin of recession¹

First recorded in 1640–50, recession is from the Latin word recessiōn- (stem of recessiō ). See recess, -ion

Origin of recession²

First recorded in 1885–90; re- + cession

Example Sentences

Though recessions have regularly followed spikes in the price of oil, economists don’t expect one this time.

From The Wall Street Journal

In most cases, the 2% target provides a bit of cushion for Fed officials, particularly in the case of a recession.

From Barron's

“Clearly, a prolonged conflict—and the potential for a U.S. recession—would eventually take a toll on the earnings outlook for tech stocks,” he said.

From Barron's

A global recession will inevitably hurt the U.S. too.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most postwar recessions were preceded by oil price spikes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bankruptcy
• collapse
• decline
• deflation
• downturn
• hard times
• inflation
• shakeout
• slide
• slump
• stagnation
• unemployment