An Encylopedia Britannica Company

July 17, 2016 Word of the Day

recede /rɪˈsiːd/ verb
recede
/rɪˈsiːd/
verb

recedes; receded; receding

The tide is receding.
The tide is receding.
Definition of RECEDE

[no object]

1 : to move away gradually

  • The floodwaters slowly receded.

  • I felt sad as I watched the ship recede from view.

2 : to become smaller or weaker

  • We listened as the sound of the sirens receded [=faded] into the distance.

  • The pain from my headache slowly began to recede.

3 ◊ If your hair is receding, you are gradually losing the hair that is at the front of your head.

  • His hair started receding when he was in his thirties.

  • He has a receding hairline.

4 ◊ A receding chin/forehead is a chin/forehead that slants backward.

More Words of the Day