Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Definition of recess noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

recess

noun
 
recess pronunciation English rɪˈses recess pronunciation American rɪˈses
recess pronunciation English ˈriːses recess pronunciation American ˈriːses
1 [countable, uncountable] a period of time during the year when the members of a parliament, committee, etc. do not meetParliament went into its long summer recess.The court is in recess until October.2 [countable] a short break in a trial in courtThe judge called a short recess.3 (North American English) (British English break, break time) [uncountable] a period of time between lessons at school4 [countable] a part of a wall that is set further back than the rest of the wall, forming a space
Synonym
alcovea recess for books5 [countable, usually plural] the part of a place that is furthest from the light and hard to see or get toHe stared into the dark recesses of the room. (figurative) The doubt was still there, in the deep recesses of her mind.