To recede means to move back or away from a point, or to gradually become less or fade away. When flood waters recede, they slowly drain away and return to normal levels. When you watch someone walk down a long hallway, they recede into the distance until they're just a tiny figure far away.

The word often describes something that was once close or strong but is now pulling back or diminishing. A person's hairline might recede as they age, meaning their hair gradually grows less full at the front of their head. Memories can recede over time, becoming dimmer and harder to recall. When the tide recedes at the beach, the water pulls back toward the ocean, revealing tide pools and wet sand that were underwater moments before.

You might also hear someone say their hopes are receding when something they wanted seems to be slipping further away. If you're training hard for a competition but keep getting injured, your chances of winning might seem to recede with each setback. The opposite of recede is advance or approach.