recess
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A depressed, hollow, or indented space; also, a hole or opening. — The place in a prison where the communal lavatories are located.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “recess” mean?
A depressed, hollow, or indented space; also, a hole or opening. — The place in a prison where the communal lavatories are located.
Is “recess” formal or informal?
recess is generally slang.