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 of reclamation

• 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

Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones have both recently become successful reclamation projects with new teams and new coaches. —John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

The backstabbing gives the show its spiky, durable spine—but its belief in individual people’s potential, its love of adventure, its obsession with redemption, reclamation, and rebirth? —David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026

The recycling process for these batteries involves a process called high-temperature metal reclamation where the batteries are sorted, cut, melted, and the metals extracted. —Katherine Gallagher, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026

Yes, reclamation projects of all sorts are going on in the NFL nowadays with varying levels of success. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026

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)