recourse

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

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Examples: recourse in a Sentence

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

My only recourse was to purchase a new ticket for more than $900.

— christopher elliott, SFChronicle.com, "Travel Troubleshooter: Canceled Los Angeles flight costs passenger $900," 5 July 2018
My only recourse was to purchase a new ticket for more than $900.

— christopher elliott, The Seattle Times, "Travel Troubleshooter | Hey, United Airlines, why did you cancel my ticket?," 28 June 2018
My only recourse was to purchase a new ticket for more than $900.

— christopher elliott, BostonGlobe.com, "Hey, United Airlines, why did you cancel my ticket?," 26 June 2018
My only recourse was to purchase a new ticket for more than $900.

— christopher elliott, chicagotribune.com, "Hey, United Airlines, why did you cancel my ticket?," 25 June 2018
That leaves families like Daly’s with no recourse if local law enforcement agencies don’t take their complaints seriously.

— ronnie polaneczky, Philly.com, "How many bruises must this young man sustain before we help? | Ronnie Polaneczky," 14 June 2018
The Tezos community, however, proved itself exactly the sort of self-orchestrating effort the platform was designed to incubate, even without recourse to its actual blockchain.

— gideon lewis-kraus, WIRED, "The Blockchain: A Love Story—And a Horror Story," 18 June 2018
There would be no regional recourse if the EPA loosened its regulations.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Ohio River panel wants to give up power to set pollution-control rules," 8 June 2018
That means Americans will have no choice but to take these corporations at their word—and if anyone screws up, there will be little recourse outside Europe.

— robert hackett, Fortune, "Cyber Saturday—We've Updated Our Privacy Polic—Kidding!," 26 May 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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.