Definition of "recess" in English

noun

(countable) A depressed, hollow, or indented space; also, a hole or opening.
- Put a generous recess behind the handle for finger space.
(countable) A hidden, innermost, or inaccessible place or part of a place.
(countable) A temporary stoppage of an activity; a break, a pause.
- Spring recess offers a good chance to travel.
(countable, archaic) An act of retiring or withdrawing; a moving back.
- the recess of the tides
(countable, historical) A decree or resolution of the diet of the Holy Roman Empire or the Hanseatic League.
An act of retiring or withdrawing from public life, society, etc.; also, an act of living in retirement or seclusion, or a period of such retirement or seclusion.
Leisure, relaxation.
The state of being withdrawn.
A departure from a norm or position.
A time interval during which something ceases; an interruption, a respite.
(countable, geology) An overall-concave, reentrant section of a sinuous fold and thrust belt, thrust sheet, or a single thrust fault, caused by one or more of: deformation (folding and faulting) of strata and geologic structures during orogenesis, differences in the angle of critical taper during orogenesis, or differing erosional level of the present geomorphological surface.

adjective

verb

To position (something) a distance behind another thing; to set back.
To make a recess (noun noun, sense 1 and noun, sense 1.1) in (something).
- to recess a wall
Often preceded by in or into: to inset (something) into a recess or niche.
- That gargoyle recesses into the rest of architecture.
- Recess the screw so it does not stick out.
To conceal, to hide.
To temporarily suspend (a meeting, the proceedings of an official body, etc.).
To make a recess appointment in respect of (someone).
Of a meeting, the proceedings of an official body, etc.: to adjourn, to take a break.
- Class will recess for 20 minutes.
Of an official body: to suspend proceedings for a period of time.
- This court shall recess for its lunch break now.