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

Luis Sotillo, a PhD student in the program, said a larger reckoning is needed. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026

Meanwhile, outside this specific reckoning, the war on women is accelerating. —Rachel O'Leary Carmona, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2026

But more bad decisions along these lines will hasten the day of reckoning. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026

Joshua Hammer There has never been a moral and historical reckoning with the horrors inflicted by the Allied firebombing of Japan during World War II. —Giri Nathan, The New York Review of Books, 21 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