reclaim

verb re·claim \ ri-ˈklām \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: reclaim in a Sentence

Definition of reclaim

reclaimed; reclaiming; reclaims

transitive verb

1 a : to recall from wrong or improper conduct : reform

b : tame, subdue

2 a : to rescue from an undesirable state; also : to restore to a previous natural state

reclaim mining sites

b : to make available for human use by changing natural conditions

reclaim swampland

3 : to obtain from a waste product or by-product : recover

reclaimed plastic

4 a : to demand or obtain the return of

b : to regain possession of

—

reclaimable

play \ri-ˈklā-mə-bəl\ adjective

See reclaim defined for English-language learners

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Examples of reclaim in a Sentence

Sons and daughters are proudly reclaiming the traditions that their parents had forgotten.
She reclaimed the title of world champion this year.
You might be able to reclaim some of the money you contributed.
Environmental groups have been reclaiming contaminated sites.
Acres of land were reclaimed by conservationists.
The factory reclaims fibers from textile wastes.

Recent Examples of reclaim from the Web

In the years immediately after Franco’s death, a small number of Spaniards quietly began to reclaim the remains of their disappeared loved ones with little more than hands and shovels.

— matías costa, Smithsonian, "The Battle Over the Memory of the Spanish Civil War," 28 June 2018
Crown Point snapped that streak in 2017 before Lake Central reclaimed the sectional title this spring.

— dave melton, Post-Tribune, "Lake Central's Ron Fredrick is the Post-Tribune Girls Track Coach of the Year," 27 June 2018
There was always some belief that Pele was going to come back and reclaim her land.

— tim tierney, Daily Southtown, "Heartbreak Ridge: Slammers' Ridge Hoopii-Haslam keeps eyes on family’s situation in Hawaii," 12 June 2018
Available in five different finishes -- butcher block, reclaimed wood, dark wood, white and black -- this piece is attractively designed to look great and function smoothly within your home or office.

— anna hecht, CNN Underscored, "This stylish standing desk could revolutionize your work routine," 11 June 2018
The surge in female candidates comes as Democrats try to reclaim the House and Senate from Republicans in November.

— haley draznin, CNN, "There is an 'avalanche' of women running for office," 10 Apr. 2018
The decision was made to reclaim the cemetery in 1987.

— jacques kelly, Howard County Times, "In Ellicott City, a once abandoned cemetery now blooms," 1 Apr. 2018
The Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation is trying to reclaim the distinguished female practitioners that were written out of history.

— justin davidson, The Cut, "What Would a World Designed by Women Look Like?," 20 Mar. 2018
Video Link Embed Code Facebook Twitter Email After a devastating 2016, Democrats are looking to reclaim both the House and the Senate in 2018 but there are a few obstacles in their way.

— andrea drusch, star-telegram, "Texas Dems worry bigger rifts ahead with national party | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 13 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of reclaim

Middle English reclamen, from Anglo-French reclamer, from Latin reclamare to cry out, protest, from re- + clamare to cry out — more at claim

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

reclaim Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of reclaim

rescue, deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger. rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.