A recess is a break between the periods of work of an official body such as a committee, a court of law, or a government.

When formal meetings or court cases recess, they stop temporarily.

In a room, a recess is part of a wall which is built further back than the rest of the wall. Recesses are often used as a place to put furniture such as shelves.

The recesses of something or somewhere are the parts of it which are hard to see because light does not reach them or they are hidden from view.

If you refer to the recesses of someone's mind or soul, you are referring to thoughts or feelings they have which are hidden or difficult to describe.