recess

UK: noun: /ˈriːsɛs/, verb: /rɪˈsɛs/

US: /rɪˈsɛs, ˈrisɛs/

US: (ri ses′, rē′ses)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•cess /rɪˈsɛs, ˈrisɛs/   n. 

[countable]
1. a temporary withdrawal from or stopping of the usual work or activity;
   a break.
2. a period of such withdrawal:
   a five-minute recess.
3. a part built back or in from the rest, as an alcove in a room.
4. recesses, [plural] a hidden or inner area or part:
   in the recesses of the palace.

v. 

5. [~ + object] to place or set in a recess.
6. to suspend or leave for later for a recess: [~ + object]
   to recess the Senate.
   [no object]
   The meeting recessed for lunch.

See -cess-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•cess  (ri ses′, rē′ses), n. 

1. temporary withdrawal or cessation from the usual work or activity.
2. a period of such withdrawal.
3. a receding part or space, as a bay or alcove in a room.
4. an indentation in a line or extent of coast, hills, forest, etc.
5. recesses, a secluded or inner area or part:
   in the recesses of the palace.

v.t. 

6. to place or set in a recess.
7. to set or form as or like a recess;
   make a recess or recesses in:
   to recess a wall.
8. to suspend or defer for a recess:
   to recess the Senate.

v.i. 

9. to take a recess.

• Latin recessus a withdrawal, receding part, equivalent. to recēd(ere) to recede¹ + -tus suffix of verb, verbal action, with dtss
• 1510–20

Synonyms

• 1. respite, rest, break, vacation.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

recess noun / rɪˈsɛs ˈriːsɛs/

1. a space, such as a niche or alcove, set back or indented
2. (often plural) a secluded or secret place: recesses of the mind
3. a cessation of business, such as the closure of Parliament during a vacation
4. a small cavity or depression in a bodily organ, part, or structure
5. a break between classes at a school

verb / rɪˈsɛs/(transitive)

1. to place or set (something) in a recess
2. to build a recess or recesses in (a wall, building, etc)

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin recessus a retreat, from recēdere to recede