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

• 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

The agenda centers on an insightful reckoning: How can the Democratic Party represent itself as the problem-solving party of the working class when its track record exhibits innumerable failures in major cities? —Seth David Radwell, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025

The Judgement card suggests a reckoning, a powerful wake-up call to rise into your purpose and release guilt, regret, or self-doubt. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2025

The Cavaliers' day of reckoning is fast approaching, and the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder could eventually join them in the years to come. —Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

Yes, Bill Cosby, the actor, would later fall from grace in one of the most devastating reckonings in American cultural history. —Jack Hill, Baltimore Sun, 26 July 2025

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