reclaim

verb re·claim \ ri-ˈklām \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of reclaim

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

See reclaim defined for kids

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

Cordray’s victory buoyed Democratic hopes of reclaiming control of a critical battleground state, where Kasich is term-limited.

— Washington Post, "Cordray, DeWine win their primaries in Ohio governor’s race," 10 May 2018
Google thinks the first step toward reclaiming your time involves understanding your habits.

— robbie gonzalez, WIRED, "The Research Behind Google's New Tools for Digital Well-Being," 9 May 2018
In the process of reclaiming 16,000 mined acres, the Mosaic Company added the five-star Streamsong Resort, a beautiful amalgamation of original architecture, supreme golf courses and natural beauty.

— vincent crampton, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Polk County: Reclaiming Florida at Streamsong Resort," 6 May 2018
Seen within the context of a national debate about Confederate monuments dedicated to the leaders and architects of slavery, the new memorial and museum are a potent argument for reclaiming the narrative.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Alabama memorial captures the scale of racial terror in the U.S.," 3 May 2018
In the new documentary series Being Serena, Williams acknowledges both outsiders' doubts and internal fears about whether she, after becoming a parent, will reclaim the top spot in women’s tennis.

— chloé cooper jones, GQ, "HBO’s Being Serena Pulls Back the Curtain," 2 May 2018
Detroit reached a key step in fiscal redemption on Monday by reclaiming control of its own finances roughly three years after exiting the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.

— corey williams, chicagotribune.com, "3 years out of bankruptcy, Detroit released from state financial oversight," 30 Apr. 2018
Detroit reached a key step in fiscal redemption on Monday by reclaiming control of its own finances roughly three years after exiting the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.

— Fox News, "Detroit released from active state oversight of finances," 30 Apr. 2018
Stocks had appeared to stabilize in the months following the selloff, with the S&P 500 reclaiming positive territory for the year after a 10% fall from its Jan. 26 high.

— akane otani, WSJ, "Stocks Drop as Treasury Yields Touch 3%," 24 Apr. 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.

- 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

RECLAIM Defined for English Language Learners

reclaim

verb

Definition of reclaim for English Language Learners

: to get back (something that was lost or taken away)
: to make (land) available for use by changing its condition
: to get (a usable material) from materials that have been used before

RECLAIM Defined for Kids

reclaim

verb re·claim \ ri-ˈklām \

Definition of reclaim for Students

reclaimed; reclaiming

1 : to get back (something that was lost or taken away)

The skater reclaimed her championship.

2 : to restore to an original state

reclaim a swamp

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

The bottles are made from reclaimed plastic.

Law Dictionary

reclaim

transitive verb re·claim \ ˌrē-ˈklām \

legal Definition of reclaim

1 : to make fit or available for human use

reclaiming land that had been strip-mined

2 a : to demand the return of by right

b : to regain possession of

Learn More about reclaim

See words that rhyme with reclaim Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reclaim Spanish Central: Translation of reclaim Nglish: Translation of reclaim for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of reclaim for Arabic speakers

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reclaim

Definition of reclaim

reclaimable

Examples of reclaim in a Sentence

Recent Examples of reclaim from the Web

Origin and Etymology of reclaim

reclaim Synonyms

Synonyms

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RECLAIM Defined for English Language Learners

reclaim

Definition of reclaim for English Language Learners

RECLAIM Defined for Kids

reclaim

Definition of reclaim for Students

Law Dictionary

reclaim

legal Definition of reclaim

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