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

But the prospect of a multiweek campaign and rising casualties is forcing a reckoning inside the MAGA coalition, many of whom rallied behind his 2016 promise to avoid prolonged Middle East wars and nation-building efforts overseas. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 3 Mar. 2026

Early seasons were set at a London megabank that had—post-financial crisis, post-#MeToo, post-racial-reckoning—allegedly reformed its work culture. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026

Soldiers and civilians will die to protect a man from his legal reckoning. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2026

For Paksa, the science in question was that of post-traumatic reckoning, for individual and body politic alike. —Daniel R. Quiles, Artforum, 1 Mar. 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