reckoning

noun reck·on·ing \ ˈre-kə-niŋ , ˈrek-niŋ \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of reckoning

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

See reckoning defined for English-language learners

See reckoning defined for kids

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 of reckoning from the Web

Congressional hearings are often a time of reckoning when the nation's troubles can be distilled in a few, short dramatic sentences broadcast to the nation.

— jeffrey fleishman, latimes.com, "Mark Zuckerberg's testimony before Congress has the makings of riveting televised political drama," 9 Apr. 2018
In troubled times, or in times of reckoning and turmoil, everything is thrown into high relief.

— greg kot, chicagotribune.com, "Birds of Chicago on vitality and how to overcome 'the least sexy phrase' in music history," 4 Apr. 2018
In light of this reckoning, Judy will resonate more than ever.

— refinery29.com, "Why Now Is The Right Time For A Judy Garland Biopic," 19 Mar. 2018
Australia’s universities are in the early phases of a reckoning.

— alex mckinnon, New York Times, "‘Toxic Culture’ Stymies Australian Politics’ #MeToo Moment," 11 Mar. 2018
Brown has for years been engaged in a powerful reckoning with its own complicated history with slavery.

— susan svrluga, ajc, "Brown University, citing dispute, won't display house linked to Rosa Parks," 11 Mar. 2018
At the Golden Globes in January, still in the thick of #MeToo’s unpredictable beginnings, the broadcast felt full of moments of radical reckoning happening in real time.

— anna silman, The Cut, "The Hollywood PR Machine Has Finally Caught Up to #MeToo," 5 Mar. 2018
No one knows exactly how the film academy plans to handle this moment of reckoning during the ceremony on March 4, but, with Affleck stepping down, one of the biggest questions has been answered.

— Time, "Casey Affleck Won't Present at the Oscars After Pressure Over Harassment Claims," 25 Jan. 2018
The Brexit probe is part of a broader reckoning that Facebook, Twitter Inc. and Google’s YouTube are facing globally, as governments come to grips with the companies’ far-reaching influence on society, as well as vulnerability to manipulation.

— adam satariano, Bloomberg.com, "Facebook Is Investigating Possible Russia Meddling in Brexit," 17 Jan. 2018

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

First Known Use of reckoning

14th century

reckoning Synonyms

Synonyms

appraisal, appraisement, assessment, estimate, estimation, evaluation, valuation;

Related Words

calculation, computation, measurement;

audit, check, checkup, examination, inspection, review, scan, scrutiny, survey;

reassessment, transvaluation;

overestimation, overevaluation;

underestimation;

RECKONING Defined for English Language Learners

reckoning

noun

Definition of reckoning for English Language Learners

: the act of calculating the amount of something
: the time when your actions are judged as good or bad and you are rewarded or punished
: the act of judging something