recover

play

verb re·cov·er \ri-ˈkə-vər\

Definition of recover

recovered

;

recovering

play \-ˈkə-və-riŋ, -ˈkəv-riŋ\

transitive verb
1 : to get back : regain
2a : to bring back to normal position or condition stumbled, then recovered himselfb archaic : rescue
3a : to make up for recover increased costs through higher pricesb : to gain by legal process
4 archaic : reach
5 : to find or identify again recover a comet
6a : to obtain from an ore, a waste product, or a by-productb : to save from loss and restore to usefulness : reclaim
intransitive verb
1 : to regain a normal position or condition (as of health) recovering from a cold
2 : to obtain a final legal judgment in one's favor

recoverability

play \-ˌkə-və-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌkəv-rə-\ noun

recoverable

play \-ˈkə-və-rə-bəl, -ˈkəv-rə-\ adjective

recoverer

play \-ˈkə-vər-ər\ noun

See recover defined for English-language learners

See recover defined for kids

Examples of recover in a Sentence

She had a heart attack but is recovering well.
Share prices will be down until the economy recovers.
She recovered consciousness in the hospital.
I slipped, but somehow recovered my balance.
He suffered a stroke and hasn't yet recovered the use of his left arm.
The police recovered his stolen wallet.
The program helps users recover computer files that have been deleted.

Recent Examples of recover from the Web

The other victims continue to recover from their wounds.

— billy house, Bloomberg.com, "Scalise Readmitted to Intensive Care Unit Over Infection Concern", 6 July 2017
The Sounders have some time to recover prior to their next regular season affair on July 19 at home against D.C. United.

— geoff baker, The Seattle Times, "Sounders await word on whether Osvaldo Alonso knee sprain is actually more serious", 5 July 2017
After in-house attempts to recover the meetings from a computer hard drive failed, the county turned to a national data recovery firm, KrollOntrack, for help.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Clermont County Roundup: Technology glitch, rowers, garden tours and more", 5 July 2017
Besides cyber threats, Justice Department officials in recent years have worried about the effect of unchecked international corruption, creating a kleptocracy initiative to recover money plundered by government leaders for their own purposes.

— eric tucker, chicagotribune.com, "Mueller probe could draw focus to Russian crime operations", 4 July 2017
Investigators continue to recover illegal guns and ammunition connected to shootings, carjackings and robberies.

— clarence williams, Washington Post, "When a D.C. school closed for renovations, parents faced a troubling choice", 4 July 2017
With guns recovered across the county, one weapon could theoretically have links connected with crimes committed in several cities from Torrance to Burbank.

— andy nguyen, Glendale News-Press, "Shell casings could prove key to solving crimes across Los Angeles County", 30 June 2017
The very things that help many people recover from other emotional traumas—a routine, an absorbing distraction, a daily purpose—are not readily available to the unemployed.

— danielle tcholakian, Longreads, "Why Don’t We Work Less?", 28 June 2017
His family thinks the test was inaccurate because Ellingson’s body wasn’t recovered from the water for more than 18 hours.

— laura bauer, kansascity, "Missouri trooper pleads, avoids trial in handcuffed drowning of Brandon Ellingson", 27 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of recover

Middle English, from Anglo-French recoverer, from Latin recuperare, from re- + *caperare, from Latin capere to take — more at heave

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

RECOVER Defined for English Language Learners

recover

play

verb

Definition of recover for English Language Learners

: to become healthy after an illness or injury : to return to normal health
: to return to a normal state after a period of difficulty
: to get (something, such as an ability or feeling) again

RECOVER Defined for Kids

recover

play

verb re·cov·er \ri-ˈkə-vər\

Definition of recover for Students

recovered

;

recovering

1 : to get back : regain I recovered my lost wallet. Mary began to recover her breath and feel safer … — Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
2 : to regain or return to a normal or usual state (as of health or composure Have you recovered from the flu?
3 : to make up for We can't recover lost time.

Medical Dictionary

recover

play

intransitive verb re·cov·er \ri-ˈkəv-ər\

Medical Definition of recover

recovered

;

recovering

\-(ə-)riŋ\play

: to regain a normal position or condition (as of health) recovering from the effects of a cold

Law Dictionary

recover

play

transitive verb re·cov·er \ri-ˈkə-vər\

Legal Definition of recover

1 : to get back or get back an equivalent for recover costs through higher prices
2a : to obtain or get back (as damages, satisfaction for a debt, or property) through a judgment or decree recover damages in a tort action b : to obtain (a judgment) in one's favor
intransitive verb
1 : to get something back
2 : to obtain damages or something else through a judgment argued that the plaintiff should not be permitted to recover