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recipe

noun
rec·​i·​pe | \ ˈre-sə-(ˌ)pē How to pronounce recipe (audio) \

Definition 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 The History of Receipt and Recipe More Example Sentences Learn More about recipe

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The History of Receipt and Recipe

These days it may seem odd to speak of "grandma's cookie receipt," but at one time the only meaning of receipt was "recipe." The first recorded use of receipt is a reference to a medicinal preparation in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (c. 1386). Recipe didn't arrive until the 1500s, and it was also first used to describe medicine. Both words began to be applied to cooking only in the 18th century, after which recipe slowly became the preferred word. Receipt acquired its currently more familiar sense of "a written statement saying that money or goods have been received" in the 17th century. Both receipt and recipe are thought to be ultimately derived from Latin recipere ("to receive"), making them probable relatives as well as synonyms.

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The fins are often turned into shark fin soup, a Chinese delicacy that symbolizes good fortune, in which the gelatinous fin is served in a broth whose recipe dates back to the 10th-century Song Dynasty. — Washington Post, "Extinction bites: countries agree to protect sharks and rays," 25 Aug. 2019 The fins are often turned into shark fin soup, a Chinese delicacy that symbolizes good fortune, in which the gelatinous fin is served in a broth whose recipe dates back to the 10th-century Song Dynasty. — Maria Cheng And Jamey Keaten, USA TODAY, "'Critically endangered': Countries come together in efforts to protect sharks and rays," 25 Aug. 2019 That’s why recipe details are important when whipping up the sweet stuff. — Claire Perez, sun-sentinel.com, "Claire’s tip of the week: Why you should bring dairy to room temperature," 23 Aug. 2019 In the not-to-distant future — circa 2025 or so — kitchens in new homes may be little more than a table that displays recipes and menus, cooks food, warms drinks, and charges mobile devices. — Lew Sichelman | Andrews Mcmeel Syndication, courant.com, "Housing Scene: Design trends include lighting up kitchens and baths," 23 Aug. 2019 The old woman told of family recipes and remedies, about slave uprisings and Indian wars. — USA Today, "The founding family you’ve never heard of: The black Tuckers of Hampton, Virginia," 22 Aug. 2019 As this highlights, the government had too many economic cooks following different recipes. — The Economist, "Argentina’s crisis shows the limits of technocracy," 22 Aug. 2019 In its lawsuit, ATK said Kimball used the company’s databases and recipes to help get Milk Street off the ground. — Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "Christopher Kimball, America’s Test Kitchen settle legal battle," 22 Aug. 2019 Developing delicious alcohol-free cocktails goes beyond simply removing alcohol from an existing recipe. — Sarah Kuta, The Know, "“Sober curious” trend hits Colorado, with zero-proof cocktail menus and plans for a new “dry bar”," 20 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recipe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of recipe

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for recipe

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

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More Definitions for recipe

recipe

noun
How to pronounce recipe (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of recipe

: a set of instructions for making food
: a way of doing something that will produce a particular result

See the full definition for recipe in the English Language Learners Dictionary

recipe

noun
rec·​i·​pe | \ ˈre-sə-pē How to pronounce recipe (audio) \

Kids Definition of recipe

: a set of instructions for making something (as a food dish) by combining various things

recipe

noun
rec·​i·​pe | \ ˈres-ə-(ˌ)pē How to pronounce recipe (audio) \

Medical Definition of recipe

: prescription sense 1

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