reckoning

noun

reck·​on·​ing ˈre-kə-niŋ 

ˈrek-niŋ

1

: the act or an instance of reckoning: such as

a

: account, bill

b

: computation

c

: calculation of a ship's position

2

: a settling of accounts

day of reckoning

3

: a summing up

Synonyms of reckoning

• assessment
• estimate
• appraisal
• estimation
• evaluation
• appraisement
• examination
• calculation

Examples of reckoning in a Sentence

I was more than $10 off in my reckoning.

When the day of reckoning comes, we will have to face some unpleasant truths.

Our football team hardly comes into the reckoning.

Because of his injury, he is out of the reckoning.

The team is still in the reckoning.

Recent Examples on the Web

His dissolute, debauched lifestyle was due for a reckoning and could have sunk into tropes of the season’s theme. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 June 2026

In the wake of the 2020 protests of anti-Black police violence, museums put themselves forward as hosts for their communities’ racial reckonings and difficult discourses. —Greg Allen, ARTnews.com, 7 June 2026

The race for Susan Collins’ seat sparking a new reckoning about how Democrats deal with scandal. —ABC News, 7 June 2026

Handy's death was the reckoning for the entire project. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reckoning

• by someone's reckoning
• dead reckoning
• hour of reckoning

Rhymes for reckoning

• beckoning

Kids Definition

reckoning

noun

reck·​on·​ing

1

: the act or an instance of calculating

2

: a settling of accounts

day of reckoning