recipe

noun

rec·​i·​pe ˈre-sə-(ˌ)pē How to pronounce recipe (audio)
Synonyms of recipe
1
: prescription sense 4a
2
: a set of instructions for making something from various ingredients
3
: a formula or procedure for doing or attaining something
a recipe for success

Synonyms of recipe

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Examples of recipe in a Sentence

The recipe calls for fresh thyme. I didn't read the recipe carefully. This is one of my grandmother's recipes.
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.
Young reporters like Steinem were allowed to write stories only about women's topics, such as recipes and clothes; writing about issues that actually influenced women's lives was discouraged. — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 When the urge to bake strikes but a full recipe feels like too much, a mix like this keeps things simple. — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026 Not a promising recipe for anyone looking for long-term employment in the Premier League. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026 The text profiles the cooking of such influential figures as the Catalan chef Ferran Adrià and the Basque Country’s Juan Mari Arzak and provides recipes for centuries-old dishes from Madrid. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recipe

Word History

Etymology

Latin, take, imperative of recipere to take, receive — more at receive

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recipe was in 1533

Phrases Containing recipe

Rhymes for recipe

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Browse Nearby Words

recip
recipe
recipe book
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Cite this Entry

“Recipe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recipe. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

recipe

noun
rec·​i·​pe ˈres-ə-(ˌ)pē How to pronounce recipe (audio)
1
: prescription sense 2a
2
: a set of instructions for making something (as a food dish) from various things
a recipe for beef stew
3
: method of proceeding
a recipe for success

Medical Definition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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