recourse

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noun re·course \ ˈrē-ˌkȯrs , ri-ˈ \

Definition of recourse

1 a :a turning to someone or something for help or protection

settled the matter without recourse to law

b :a source of help or strength :resort

had no recourse left

2 :the right to demand payment from the maker or endorser of a negotiable instrument (such as a check)

See recourse defined for English-language learners

See recourse defined for kids

Examples of recourse in a Sentence

The dispute was settled without recourse to law.
a toddler quickly learns that a tantrum is a surefire recourse when a polite request for something is met with parental indifference

Recent Examples of recourse from the Web

Many people—perhaps even those with insurance—will be left without recourse when the storm is over.

— vann r. newkirk ii, The Atlantic, "How Hurricane Harvey Could Cause Long-Term Devastation," 26 Aug. 2017
When BlueIndy started taking over public parking spots in 2015, businesses that lost those spaces had no recourse.

— james briggs, Indianapolis Star, "After a rocky start, BlueIndy is making peace and winning over customers," 8 Aug. 2017
The buffet had closed down five minutes before the group got there, so their only recourse was to go to the pool area and sit at a table for four and order breakfast.

— jessica diehl, Vanities, "Cover Story: Serena Williams’s Love Match," 2 Aug. 2017
While barber shop owners in Tijuana say Americans and tourists are not shy about going to their establishments, there might not be much of a recourse for a bad cut.

— phillip molnar, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "Tijuana barber shops are all the rage," 24 July 2017
The spread of drones cannot be stopped, but the U.S. can still influence how they are used in the global community — including, someday, seeking recourse should our enemies turn these powerful weapons 180 degrees to target our homeland.

— george will, National Review, "Don’t Hold Your Breath for Congress to Take Back Its Warmaking Powers," 15 July 2017
For years, news organizations have had little recourse but to cede more distribution and advertising dollars to Facebook and Google, even agreeing to give away articles in the hopes the wider digital audience will pay off in the long run.

— david pierson, latimes.com, "Newspapers seek antitrust exemption to band together in fight against Google and Facebook," 9 July 2017
Although Brock Turner could not be retried, aggrieved voters still had another recourse: kick Persky out of office.

— cleve r. wootson jr., sacbee.com, "He sentenced Stanford rapist to six months in jail. Now he’s defending his ruling.," 2 July 2017
But creating heat for schools by going public has been the only real recourse for athletes like Sutton.

— george schroeder, The Courier-Journal, "NCAA proposal would stop schools, coaches from holding transfers hostage," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recourse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of recourse

Middle English recours, from Anglo-French recurs, from Late Latin recursus, from Latin, act of running back, from recurrere to run back — more at recur

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

recourse Synonyms

Synonyms

expedient, resource, resort

Related Words

hope, opportunity, possibility, relief; makeshift, replacement, stopgap, substitute

RECOURSE Defined for English Language Learners

recourse

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noun

Definition of recourse for English Language Learners

: an opportunity or choice to use or do something in order to deal with a problem or situation

RECOURSE Defined for Kids

recourse

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noun re·course \ ˈrē-ˌkȯrs \

Definition of recourse for Students

:someone or something that can be turned to for help or protection

Law Dictionary

recourse

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noun re·course \ ˈrē-ˌkōrs, ri-ˈkōrs \

legal Definition of recourse

1 a :the act of turning to someone or something for assistance especially in obtaining redress

b :a means to a desired end especially in the nature of a remedy or justice; also :the end itself

2 :the right or ability to demand payment or compensation; specifically :the right to demand payment from the endorser or drawer of a negotiable instrument — see also recourse note at note — compare non-recourse

Note: Under Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code, the phrase without recourse on a negotiable instrument limits the liability of the endorser or drawer. If an endorsement states that it is made without recourse, the endorser is not liable to pay, subject to various conditions, if the instrument is dishonored. Similarly, if a draft states that it is drawn without recourse, the drawer is not liable to pay, subject to various conditions, if the draft is dishonored, provided that it is not a check.