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

Fortune 500 companies are facing a reckoning, as the traditional playbook of scale, efficiency, and seamless global integration falters as the world drifts away from globalization. —David Austin, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2025

The reckoning with the white-nationalist influencer’s rise is only getting messier. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 15 Nov. 2025

The snap decree was lifted within hours when South Korean lawmakers pushed past troops to vote it down, the first step in a reckoning for Yoon that’s still playing out in court. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 14 Nov. 2025

The admission set the stage for both a public reckoning and a private reassessment of their relationship. —Jenni Fink, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 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