# recollection

/ˌɹɛkəˈɫɛkʃən/ (US) · /ɹɪkəlˈɛkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/recollection
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the act of remembering

noun · CEFR B2

the act of remembering something from the past.

For teachers: the cognitive act or process of recalling information or events to the mind.

- To the best of my recollection, we never discussed that specific price.
- The witness's recollection of the events was clouded by the passage of time and the stress of the situation.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'to the best of my recollection'.

### 2. a specific memory

noun · CEFR B2

a specific memory of something that happened.

For teachers: a specific instance of something recalled to the mind; a reminiscence.

- She shared a vivid recollection of her first day at primary school.
- His memoirs are filled with fond recollections of the summers he spent in the countryside during his youth.

### 3. spiritual concentration

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a state of quiet focus or a short religious retreat.

For teachers: the act of concentrating the mind, particularly in a spiritual or meditative context; often refers to a short religious retreat.

- The monks spent the afternoon in silent recollection.
- The weekend was designed as a period of spiritual recollection, allowing participants to detach from worldly concerns through guided meditation.

### 4. collecting again

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the act of gathering things together again.

For teachers: the process of collecting items or materials again after they have been dispersed.

- The recollection of the chemical waste took several weeks to complete.
- Efficient recollection of recyclable materials is a cornerstone of the city's new environmental sustainability initiative.

Usage: Usually refers to physical objects or data rather than mental processes.

## Examples

- I have no recollection of meeting him before.
- To the best of my recollection, the contract was signed on a Tuesday afternoon in early March.
- The witness's vivid recollection of the suspect's attire provided the prosecution with the crucial evidence needed to secure a conviction.

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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.