recount

1 of 3

verb (1)

re·​count ri-ˈkau̇nt 

recounted; recounting; recounts

transitive verb

: to relate in detail : narrate

recounter noun

recount

2 of 3

verb (2)

re·​count (ˌ)rē-ˈkau̇nt 

recounted; recounting; recounts

transitive verb

: to count again

recount

3 of 3

noun

re·​count ˈrē-ˌkau̇nt  (ˌ)rē-ˈkau̇nt 

: a second or fresh count

Synonyms of recount

Verb (1)

• describe
• tell
• narrate
• chronicle
• relate
• report

Examples of recount in a Sentence

Verb (1)

a novel that recounted an American soldier's adventures among the samurai warriors of 19th-century Japan

Noun

The election was very close and the loser demanded a recount.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Ahead, Hale recounts how a project that ran out of money, stalled in production, and seemed destined to fail ultimately found a way forward through risk, sacrifice, and the extraordinary loyalty of one friend. —Dj Hale, IndieWire, 23 June 2026

Out June 23 from Simon & Schuster Audio Originals, Peeing in an Empty Bottle recounts Hernandez's 2025 DIY comedy tour across the United States. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026

Noun

No recount has ever overturned the results of any presidential election in Colombia, the Associated Press points out. —CBS News, 22 June 2026

Georgia Democrats say a hand recount in November would create chaos that could sow doubt about the results. —ABC News, 22 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French recunter, from re- + cunter to count, relate — more at count

Verb (2)

re- + count

First Known Use

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1764, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recount

• account
• amount
• discount
• dismount
• remount
• seamount
• surmount
• count
• fount
• mount
• rediscount
• subaccount

Kids Definition

recount

1 of 3 verb

re·​count ri-ˈkau̇nt 

: to tell about in detail : narrate

recount an adventure

recount

2 of 3 verb

re·​count (ˈ)rē-ˈkau̇nt 

: to count again

recount

3 of 3 noun

re·​count ˈrē-ˌkau̇nt 

(ˈ)rē-ˈkau̇nt

: a second or fresh count (as of election votes)

Etymology

Verb

Middle English recounten "to tell about," from early French recunter (same meaning), from re- "again" and cunter "relate, count"

Verb

from English re- (prefix) and count