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

• appraisal
• appraisement
• assessment
• estimate
• estimation
• evaluation
• valuation

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

With an unflinching lens, the film captures the debates, memories, and tensions that are building toward a reckoning. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025

And yet, as federal support becomes less reliable, states are being drawn—slowly, inevitably—toward policy reckoning. —Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Yet Adolescence’s clear reckoning with the online world that’s shaped him has come to dominate reactions to the series. —Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025

Amid all this transition, reclaiming my natural hair texture feels like part of a larger reckoning. —Liz Krieger, Allure, 15 Apr. 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