# recede

/ɹɪˈsid/ (US) · /ɹɪsˈiːd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/recede
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

to move back or away from a place. It often describes things like water going back into the sea or a crowd moving away from a stage.

For teachers: to move back or away from a position; to withdraw or retreat. Often describes the physical movement of a liquid or the gradual reduction of a crowd.

## Examples

- The tide begins to recede at sunset.
- As the sun went down, the crowd started to recede, leaving the empty stadium in silence.
- The morning mist began to recede as the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, revealing the jagged peaks of the distant mountains.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.