[, ] () a difficult period in the economy of a country or group of countries, when there is less trade and industrial activity than usual and more people are unemployed 经济衰退；经济萎缩◆The economy is now officially in recession. 官方称经济目前正处於衰退之中。◆The manufacturing sector is recovering slowly from last year's recession. 制造业正从去年的衰退之中慢慢复苏。➡depression ➡double dip ➡ picture at business cycle ⨁to be hit by / be in / enter / fall into / slip (back) into (a) recession 受衰退打击；处於衰退之中；开始衰退；进入衰退；陷入衰退⨁to emerge from / recover from a recession 从衰退中走出；从衰退中复苏⨁(a) deep / prolonged / severe recession 深度的／长期的／严重的衰退⨁(a) mild / shallow recession 温和的／轻微的衰退⨁(a) global / world recession 全球／世界经济衰退