recover

verb (1)

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re·cov·er | \ ri-ˈkə-vər

recovered; recovering\ ri-ˈkə-və-riŋ

, -ˈkəv-riŋ \

Definition of recover

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to get back : regain

2a : to bring back to normal position or condition stumbled, then recovered himself

b archaic : rescue

3a : to make up for recover increased costs through higher prices

b : 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-product

b : 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

re-cover

verb (2)

re-cov·er | \ (ˌ)rē-ˈkə-vər

re-covered; re-covering; re-covers

Definition of re-cover (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to cover again or anew

Other Words from recover Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about recover

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Examples of recover in a Sentence

Verb (1) 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 on the Web: Verb For time ylost, this know ye, By no way may recovered be. — Kenneth E. Hartman, Harper's magazine, "Life after Life," 16 Sep. 2019 In its third game Friday evening against Westlake, St. Francis fell behind in the second half and this time couldn’t recover, suffering a 41-35 nonleague loss at home. — Steve Goldstein, Glendale News-Press, "St. Francis football not able to fight way back against Westlake," 13 Sep. 2019 The aim of the suits is to recover money from talent agencies, performers, vendors, and other entities that were paid to promote and carry out the infamously disastrous festival. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Kendall Jenner, Emily Ratajkowski, and Other Stars Are Officially Being Sued Over Fyre Festival Payments," 1 Sep. 2019 As the plants and animals of these forests are not fire adapted, many die and the ecosystem may take decades to recover. — Colin Beale, Quartz Africa, "Scientists say comparing the Amazon rainforest fires to burning grasslands in Africa is misleading," 31 Aug. 2019 Her Native American mother never mentally recovered after Irish settlers raped her. — San Francisco Chronicle, "Rashad Armstead fills a bag of French fries at his restaurant, Grammie's Down-Home Chicken, in Oakland.," 30 Aug. 2019 In financial year 2019, Rs70,000 crore ($9.74 billion) was recovered through the IBC, according to credit ratings agency CRISIL. — Niharika Sharma, Quartz India, "Arun Jaitley: From 19 months in prison to the high table of Indian economic affairs," 24 Aug. 2019 This potentially devastating act, though averted, is not going to be an easy one to recover from. — Rachel Paige, refinery29.com, "Tyler's 13 Reasons Why Season 2 Struggle Isn't Going To Just Go Away In Season 3," 24 Aug. 2019 Cambodia has been through so much and is still trying to recover, but the people are so beautiful and so strong. — Jenna Rosenstein, Harper's BAZAAR, "Angelina Jolie Opens Up About Helping the Planet, Raising Strong Children, and Her New Mon Guerlain Perfume Campaign," 23 Aug. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

26 Oct 2019

Time Traveler for recover

The first known use of recover was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for recover

recover

verb

English Language Learners Definition of recover

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

re-cover

verb

English Language Learners Definition of re-cover (Entry 2 of 2)

: to cover (something) again : to put a new cover on (something)

See the full definition for re-cover in the English Language Learners Dictionary

recover

verb

re·cov·er | \ ri-ˈkə-vər

recovered; recovering

Kids Definition of recover

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.

recover

intransitive verb

re·cov·er | \ ri-ˈkəv-ər

recovered; recovering\ -(ə-)riŋ