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

Even though external factors can certainly act as triggers (namely, other people), the point of all of this is to guide you back inward toward a self-reclamation of some kind. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026

The county has failed to provide evidence that the quarry owner’s reclamation plan wouldn’t substantially interfere with animals’ movement, wrote Kim Freeburn, an environmental program manager with the department. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

In 2018, following much clamoring by scientists, the Chinese government enacted strict restrictions on commercial land reclamation along its coast. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

There are games on four different days in Week 1, including a Super Bowl rematch, the debut of the new Super Team and a fallen dynasty in search of reclamation. — J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 9 Sep. 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)