Definition of RECURSIVE (original) (raw)
1
: of, relating to, or involving recursion
a recursive function in a computer program
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a procedure that can repeat itself indefinitely
a recursive rule in a grammar
Examples of recursive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All of these current approaches to self-improving AI are not recursive but piecemeal. —
Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026 The report also cites xAI co-founder Jimmy Ba, who suggests recursive self-improvement loops—where AI autonomously upgrades its own capabilities—could emerge as early as the first half of 2027. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026 The problem with any and all GOAT discourse is the debate invariably becomes recursive and myopic. —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026 The problem is not simply that the dominant content will begin to crowd out more diverse outliers, but that the recursive training on a finite sample size will introduce increasingly improbable sequences. —Patrick R. Crowley, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recursive
Word History
Etymology
earlier, "recurring repeatedly," from Latin recursus, past participle of recurrere "to run back, run in the opposite direction, return" + -ive; in given senses as translation of German rekurrent or rekursiv — more at recur
First Known Use
1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of recursive was in 1934
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Cite this Entry
“Recursive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recursive. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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