Recurrence Meaning and Definition

Recurrence

Recurrence

Pronunciation

/rɪˈkɝrəns/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A repetitive pattern or sequence of events, processes, or experiences that occur at regular intervals or with predictable frequency.

Examples

  • The patient experienced a recurring bout of migraines every month.
  • The company has been experiencing a recurrence of quality control issues.

Synonyms

  • Pattern
  • Sequence
  • Repetition

Antonyms

  • Randomness
  • Unpredictability
  • Singularity

Etymology

The word “recurrence” comes from the Latin “recurrere,” meaning “to run back or again,” and is often used in fields such as medicine, business, and technology to describe predictable patterns or cycles.

Usage Notes

When using the term “recurrence,” consider the context and specify what is recurring, such as a medical condition, a business cycle, or a software malfunction.

Cultural References

In popular culture, the concept of recurrence has been explored in science fiction, such as the term “recurring theme” in a TV show or movie.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Login loop, where a user’s repeated login attempts trigger continuous pop-up windows or prompts.

Related Words or Phrases

  • Periodicity
  • Cycle
  • Frequency
  • Pattern

Collocations

  • Recurring issue
  • Pattern of recurrence
  • Frequent recurrence

Frequency of Use

The term “recurrence” is used regularly in professional and academic settings, particularly in scientific and technical fields.

Common Misspellings

  • Recurnce
  • Recurance
  • Rekurence

Related Words