WordValerecession
a significant, prolonged decline in economic activity
In more detail
1. (noun) a period when the economy of a country becomes weaker, with less business activity and more unemployment
2. (noun) the act of moving back or the process of becoming smaller or less noticeable
Examples
- 1. The recession caused many companies to lay off workers.
- 2. The recession of the floodwaters revealed new land along the riverbank.
How to use recession
Recession typically refers to a temporary decline in economic activity, usually measured as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. It is more commonly used in economic contexts than the second meaning (physical recession), which is technical and less frequent in everyday speech. The term is more optimistic in tone than depression, which suggests a more severe and prolonged economic crisis.
Common phrases
- enter a recession
- emerge from a recession
- economic recession
- deep recession
- during the recession
- recession-proof
Synonyms
downturn · economic decline · slump · contraction · depression
Opposites
expansion · boom · growth
Word family
recessive · recess
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse recession with depression; recession is milder and shorter-term, while depression indicates a severe, prolonged economic contraction.
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