Based on the following sentences, what does the
word "recession" mean?

A time known as the Great
Recession began in 2007. It was a period when the stock market took
a dive and many people lost jobs. It officially ended in 2009, but the economy has only slowly recovered
since then.

A) a descrease
B) a time of poverty
C) a time of prosperity
D) an economic downturn

PLEASE HELP!!