reclaim

verb

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re·claim | \ ri-ˈklām

reclaimed; reclaiming; reclaims

Definition of reclaim

transitive verb

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

b : tame, subdue

2a : 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

4a : to demand or obtain the return of

b : to regain possession of

Other Words from reclaim Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About reclaim

Choose the Right Synonym for 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. rescued the crew of a sinking ship deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering. delivered his people from bondage redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary. job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity. tried to ransom the kidnap victim reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased. reclaimed long-abandoned farms save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence. an operation that saved my life

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Spears and her husband Cassius Spears Jr — the nephew of museum leader, educator and Narragansett Tribal Councilwoman Lorén Spears — have worked to reclaim many of their Native ways of life for their children. — BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2022 Yelich's triple tied the game at 10, and the Brewers grabbed an 11-10 lead in the eighth but gave it back in the bottom half, then scored two runs in the 10th to reclaim a 13-11 advantage. — Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 May 2022 The most intense fighting in recent days has been in eastern Ukraine, where the two sides are entrenched in a battle to capture or reclaim territory. — Arkansas Online, 8 May 2022 The most intense fighting in recent days has been in eastern Ukraine, where the two sides are entrenched in a fierce battle to capture or reclaim territory. — Elena Becatoros, Jon Gambrell, Anchorage Daily News, 8 May 2022 The most intense fighting in recent days has been in eastern Ukraine, where the two sides are entrenched in a fierce battle to capture or reclaim territory. — Elena Becatoros And Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2022 The most intense battles in recent days have befallen eastern Ukraine, where the two sides are entrenched in a fierce race to capture or reclaim territory. — oregonlive, 7 May 2022 If Girls5eva‘s first season felt in some ways like a return to the past — what with its lead characters reuniting to reclaim the former glory of their early-aughts girl group, 20 years later — the second represents a step forward into the future. — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 May 2022 Her essay examines the cultural and philosophical history of light and darkness, as well as the burgeoning movement to reclaim the night. — Suzannah Showler, Harper’s Magazine , 3 May 2022 See More

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.