recess
re·cess/ˈɹiˌsɛs/noun, verb
recess is spelled R-E-C-E-S-S: 6 letters and 2 syllables (re·cess). It appears 3.4 times per million words in written English, the 14,307th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, recess means “A depressed, hollow, or indented space; also, a hole or opening” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of recess is recesses.
How many letters and syllables are in recess?
| Letters | 6: R-E-C-E-S-S |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2: re·cess |
| In writing | 3.4 times per million words; the 14,307th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is recess?
Recess appears 3.4 times per million words in written English, the 14,307th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce recess?
- UK /ɹɪˈsɛs/
- UK /ˈɹiːsɛs/
- US /ˈɹiˌsɛs/
Recess has 2 syllables, split re·cess in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-recess.ogg, En-au-recess.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of recess
- recesses plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- more recess comparative
- most recess superlative
- recessing participle, present
- recessed participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does recess mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A depressed, hollow, or indented space; also, a hole or opening.
Put a generous recess behind the handle for finger space.
- 2
A small space created by building part of a wall further back from the rest; a niche.
- 3
slangThe place in a prison where the communal lavatories are located.
- 4
A hidden, innermost, or inaccessible place or part of a place.
- 5
archaicA place of retirement, retreat, or seclusion.
- 6
An obscure, remote, or secret situation.
the difficulties and recesses of science
- 7
A temporary stoppage of an activity; a break, a pause.
Spring recess offers a good chance to travel.
- 8
A period of time when the proceedings of a committee, court of law, parliament, or other official body are temporarily suspended.
verb
- 1
To position (something) a distance behind another thing; to set back.
- 2
To make a recess (noun senses 1 and 1.1) in (something).
to recess a wall
- 3
Often preceded by in or into: to inset (something) into a recess or niche.
That gargoyle recesses into the rest of architecture.
- 4
To conceal, to hide.
- 5
USTo temporarily suspend (a meeting, the proceedings of an official body, etc.).
- 6
USinformalTo make a recess appointment in respect of (someone).
- 7
USOf a meeting, the proceedings of an official body, etc.: to adjourn, to take a break.
Class will recess for 20 minutes.
- 8
USOf an official body: to suspend proceedings for a period of time.
This court shall recess for its lunch break now.
adjective
- 1
obsoleterareOf a place or time: distant, remote.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Recess in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| German | Aushöhlung, Nische, Vertiefung, Winkel , Ferien, Pause |
| Portuguese | recesso , recreio |
| French | vacances , pause, récré, récréation , recès , vacance |
| Spanish | receso , recreo, patio, quiete , recesar |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.