reclamation

noun

rec·​la·​ma·​tion ˌre-klə-ˈmā-shən 

: the act or process of reclaiming: such as

a

: reformation, rehabilitation

b

: restoration to use : recovery

Synonyms

• recovery
• recapture
• retrieval

Examples of reclamation in a Sentence

pumped water out of the field as part of the land reclamation program designed to provide farmers with more farmland

Recent Examples on the Web

And while Arthur Kaliyev makes a fine bottom-six reclamation project, his draft pedigree as a dangerous scorer never fully materialized at this level. —The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

The reclamation of coffee Other business owners are working to honor coffee’s African roots and increase interest among Black consumers. —Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025

But a reclamation album is better, whether or not the critics really keep a category title handy for that. —Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025

But China’s bullying—or any country’s island reclamation projects in the area—is not an attempt to threaten another country’s existence. —David C. Kang, Foreign Affairs, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French réclamation, from Latin reclamation-, reclamatio, from reclamare

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reclamation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

reclamation

noun

rec·​la·​ma·​tion ˌrek-lə-ˈmā-shən 

: the act or process of reclaiming : the state of being reclaimed

Legal Definition

reclamation

noun

rec·​la·​ma·​tion ˌre-klə-ˈmā-shən 

1

: the act or process of reclaiming

the reclamation of goods delivered to an insolvent buyer

2

: a right to reclaim (as under commercial law)