recourse

noun re·course \ ˈrē-ˌkȯrs , ri-ˈkȯrs \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

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

To disengage kindly and with patience is your last, most loving recourse.

— carolyn hax, idahostatesman, "Self-professed “loner” not wired to miss family, friends or partner | Idaho Statesman," 9 Apr. 2018
Unionized workers in the US enjoy significantly higher wages and better benefits than nonunion workers, and have greater recourse if they’re being mistreated by their employer.

— dylan matthews, Vox, "The emerging plan to save the American labor movement," 9 Apr. 2018
To disengage kindly and with patience is your last, most loving recourse.

— carolyn hax, Detroit Free Press, "Self-professed 'loner' not wired to miss family, friends or partner," 8 Apr. 2018
But as the number of wolves increase in France, so too have attacks on livestock – primarily sheep – leaving farmers little recourse when faced with immediate attacks.

— colette davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, "France's wolves are back. Now, can it protect its farmers?," 4 Apr. 2018
Advice: With no picks in the first two rounds, the Texans have limited recourse for finding a potential early starter at left tackle.

— lindsay h. jones, USA TODAY, "Three and out: Houston Texans' 2018 NFL draft needs, prospect fits," 3 Apr. 2018
Just about every route is more than a thousand miles long and is canvassed by robbers and corrupt police alike shaking down Central Americans with little access to legal recourse.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Why are 'caravans' of immigrants on Trump's radar?," 2 Apr. 2018
The National Rifle Association cheered it as a way to help keep guns out of the hands of criminals, while also allowing quicker recourse for law-abiding citizens who receive a false-positive from the background check system.

— andrea drusch, star-telegram, "National background check system gets help in Congress’s budget plan | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 21 Mar. 2018
Lamb won by just a few hundred votes, and Republicans turned to a possible recount or legal recourse.

— kathryn watson, CBS News, "Rick Saccone concedes to Conor Lamb in Pennsylvania congressional race," 21 Mar. 2018

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, resort, resource;

Related Words

hope, opportunity, possibility, relief;

makeshift, replacement, stopgap, substitute;

RECOURSE Defined for English Language Learners

recourse

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

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

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.