reclaim

verb

re·​claim ri-ˈklām 

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

ri-ˈklā-mə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• regain
• recapture
• retrieve
• recover

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Practical Tip for Businesses There is a wide-open market opportunity for cannabis companies willing to reclaim the middle ground. —Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025

Edwards’s most recent album, Fruit, delves into pain, loss, and reclaiming joy after losing a loved one. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2025

To survive, universities must reclaim their calling as moral and intellectual lighthouses, standing firm against intimidation, complacency and fear. —MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

The best way to reclaim our digital experiences, though, might be to stick with the likes of TextEdit, software that is unable to do anything except follow our commands. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for reclaim

• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame
• disclaim
• doorframe
• exclaim
• inflame
• mainframe

Kids Definition

reclaim

verb

re·​claim ri-ˈklām 

1

: to make someone better in behavior or character : reform

reclaim criminals

2

: to change to a desirable condition or state

reclaim the desert for agriculture

also : to restore to a previous natural state

reclaim mining sites

3

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

reclaimed wool

reclaimable

-ˈklā-mə-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

reclaim

transitive verb

re·​claim ˌrē-ˈklām 

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