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Recession: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：economic downturn (recession)

recession 🔊

/rɪˈseʃn/

A time when the economy of a country is not doing well. Businesses make less money, people may lose jobs, and everyone spends less.

Recession illustration: empty shops with for lease signs on a desolate city street.

economic downturn 🔊

➕

/ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈdaʊntɜːn/

A period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced, typically identified by a fall in GDP in two successive quarters.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'recessus' (a going back), from 're-' (back) + 'cedere' (to go).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'Recess' (a break/withdrawal) at school, plus '-ion' for the noun form. An economic recession is like the economy taking a bad break.

📖 Example

During the recession, many new graduates struggled to find their first job. 🔊 During the economic downturn, many new graduates struggled to find their first job.

🔗 Collocations

economic recession – a period of general economic decline

deep recession – a severe and prolonged economic downturn

slip into recession – to enter a period of economic decline

🔄 Synonyms

downturn (n.) – A decline in economic or business activity.

slump (n.) – A sudden severe or prolonged fall in activity, prices, or values.

contraction (n.) – The process of becoming smaller, used in economics to describe a period of economic decline.

🚫 Antonyms

boom (n.) – A period of great prosperity or rapid economic growth.

expansion (n.) – The period of economic growth, typically characterized by rising GDP and employment.

🌱 Derivatives

recess (v./n.) – To take a break or to withdraw; a temporary break from proceedings.

recessive (adj.) – Tending to recede or go back; in genetics, relating to a gene whose effect is masked by a dominant gene.

📖 Cultural Story

The word entered English in the 17th century from Latin, initially meaning a physical withdrawal. Its economic sense became prominent in the mid-20th century, especially after the Great Depression, to describe a period of significant economic decline.

Meaning 2：act of receding (recession)

recession 🔊

/rɪˈseʃn/

The act of moving back or away from something, or becoming more distant.

Recession concept: ocean water receding at low tide, showing withdrawal and retreat.

act of receding 🔊

➕

/ækt əv rɪˈsiːdɪŋ/

The action of moving back or withdrawing from a previous position or state.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The recession of the ocean waves revealed colorful seashells on the wet sand. 🔊 The act of the ocean waves receding revealed colorful seashells on the wet sand.

🔗 Collocations

glacial recession – the retreat or melting back of a glacier

tidal recession – the withdrawal of the tide from the shore

🔄 Synonyms

withdrawal (n.) – The action of moving back or away.

retreat (n.) – The act of moving back from a position or area.

ebb (n.) – The movement of the tide out to sea; a decline or fading away.

🚫 Antonyms

advance (n.) – A forward movement or progress.

progression (n.) – The act of moving forward or onward.