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Recurrence: meaning, definitions and examples

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recurrence

[rɪˈkʌrəns ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

mathematics

The reappearance of a particular event, situation, or phenomenon.

Synonyms

reappearance, reiteration, repetition, return.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
recurrence

Used in contexts where something happens again and is often unwanted or problematic, such as in medical or technical issues.

  • The recurrence of her symptoms worried the doctor.
  • The recurrence of the bug in the software frustrated the users.
repetition

Refers to the act of doing or saying something again, commonly used in educational or instructional settings, as well as to emphasize monotony.

  • Repetition is key to mastering a new language.
  • The constant repetition of the same task made the job boring.
reappearance

Appropriate when something or someone that has been absent shows up again, often unexpectedly.

  • The mysterious reappearance of the ancient artifact puzzled the archaeologists.
  • Her reappearance at the party surprised everyone.
return

Best used when someone or something comes back to a place or situation they previously left, can be both positive and negative.

  • Her return to her hometown was greeted with celebration.
  • The villain's return caused fear among the townspeople.
reiteration

Used when emphasizing or stressing a point by stating it again, often in formal or serious settings.

  • The teacher's reiteration of the rules ensured everyone understood them.
  • The boss's reiteration of the company's goals helped clarify their mission.

Examples of usage

  • The recurrence of the same number in the sequence indicates a pattern.
  • There is a recurrence of the same error in the calculations.
  • The recurrence of the problem suggests a deeper issue.
  • The recurrence of droughts in the region is a cause for concern.
  • Recurrence in the stock market is common during certain economic cycles.
Context #2 | Noun

medicine

The return of a disease or symptoms after a period of improvement.

Synonyms

flare-up, relapse, resurgence, return.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
recurrence

Used when referring to something happening again, especially after a period of time. Often used in medical, academic, and technical contexts.

  • The recurrence of the patient's symptoms concerned the doctor.
  • There has been a recurrence of flooding in the area.
return

A general term used for something coming back or happening again after a period of absence. It is widely applicable in different contexts.

  • She eagerly awaited the return of her favorite TV show.
  • The swallows' return marks the beginning of spring.
relapse

Commonly used in medical or addiction recovery contexts to describe a return to a previous state, often worse, after a period of improvement. It has a negative connotation.

  • After months of sobriety, he had a relapse and started drinking again.
  • The patient suffered a relapse two weeks after being discharged from the hospital.
resurgence

Used to describe a rising or increase in activity, interest, or energy after a period of decline. It often has a positive connotation.

  • The city has seen a resurgence of interest in public parks and green spaces.
  • There has been a resurgence in the popularity of vinyl records.
flare-up

Used to describe a sudden and often intense increase in activity, symptoms, or emotions, frequently in medical or conflict situations. It usually carries a negative connotation.

  • She experienced a flare-up of her arthritis after the long hike.
  • There was a flare-up of violence in the city last night.

Examples of usage

  • The patient experienced a recurrence of the flu symptoms.
  • There was a recurrence of the cancer after several months of remission.
  • Recurrence of the infection is possible if not treated properly.
  • The recurrence of the pain indicates a need for further medical evaluation.
Context #3 | Noun

linguistics

The repetition of a sound, syllable, word, or phrase within a sentence or discourse.

Synonyms

iteration, redundancy, reiteration, repetition.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
recurrence

Recurrence is best used when describing something that happens again, usually periodically or after a lapse of time, particularly in medical or natural contexts.

  • The recurrence of his symptoms worried the doctor.
  • Rainfall recurrence is expected every few weeks during the monsoon season.
repetition

Repetition refers to the act of doing or saying something again, often used in both neutral and negative contexts. It can refer to habits, practices, or communication.

  • The repetition of the daily exercises improved her strength.
  • The constant repetition of the same mistake frustrated him.
reiteration

Reiteration is used when referring to the action of repeating something for emphasis or clarity, often in speech or writing.

  • His reiteration of the instructions ensured everyone understood the task.
  • The teacher's reiteration of the key points helped the students with their exams.
redundancy

Redundancy often has a negative connotation and is used to describe something that is unnecessarily repeated, adding no new value or information, particularly in communication or organizational contexts.

  • The report was criticized for its redundancy.
  • He was laid off due to job redundancy.
iteration

Iteration is commonly used in technical or mathematical contexts when referring to repeating processes or cycles, especially in programming or design.

  • The software went through several iterations before the final release.
  • This algorithm requires multiple iterations to converge on a solution.

Examples of usage

  • The poet used recurrence for emphasis in the stanza.
  • Recurrence of certain sounds can create a poetic effect.
  • The linguistic recurrence added rhythm to the speech.
  • The recurrence of 'echo' in the poem created a sense of reflection.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'recurrere', which means 'to run back' or 'to return'.
  • In English, it started being used in the late 14th century, mostly in medical contexts to describe diseases that come back.
  • It has a strong connection with the idea of frequency, particularly in mathematics and statistics.

Science

  • In mathematics, recurrence relations describe sequences where each term is defined as a function of preceding terms.
  • In psychology, the recurrence of certain thoughts or behaviors can be linked to habits and conditioning.
  • Recurrence in ecology refers to the return of species or events in predictable cycles, like migratory patterns.

Pop Culture

  • TV shows often use recurrence in storytelling, with characters or events returning to create tension or resolution.
  • The concept of 'recurring themes' is popular in literature and film, where certain ideas are revisited throughout a series.
  • In video games, bosses may have recurrence where players face the same challenging enemy multiple times across levels.

Mathematics

  • In calculus, the phenomenon of recurrence can be seen in series, where terms are repeatedly generated from others.
  • Fractals exhibit recurrence as they create patterns that repeat at different scales, showing similarity across sizes.
  • Statistical methods often analyze data for recurrence patterns to forecast future events based on past occurrences.

Health

  • In medicine, recurrence describes the return of a disease after a period of improvement, a critical aspect in treatment plans.
  • Chronic illnesses often involve monitoring for recurrence to manage conditions effectively, emphasizing proactive health care.
  • Mental health disorders can also have recurrence, indicating the need for ongoing support and management strategies.

Translations

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Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,281 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.