redeem

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verb re·deem \ri-ˈdēm\

Definition of redeem

transitive verb
1a : to buy back : repurchaseb : to get or win back
2 : to free from what distresses or harms: such asa : to free from captivity by payment of ransomb : to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimentalc : to release from blame or debt : cleard : to free from the consequences of sin
3 : to change for the better : reform
4 : repair, restore
5a : to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured therebyb (1) : to remove the obligation of by payment the U.S. Treasury redeems savings bonds on demand (2) : to exchange for something of value redeem trading stampsc : to make good : fulfill
6a : to atone for : expiate redeem an errorb (1) : to offset the bad effect of (2) : to make worthwhile : retrieve

redeemable

play \-ˈdē-mə-bəl\ adjective

See redeem defined for English-language learners

See redeem defined for kids

Examples of redeem in a Sentence

Nearly 115 million Americans clip coupons and redeem them at some point during the year. —David J. Morrow, New York Times, 17 Mar. 1996
… nor does the book try to justify whatever is reckless about it by claiming some redeeming social or political value. —Philip Roth, Reading Myself and Others, 1975
She had once told Rowland that she would show him, some day, how gracious her manners could be; she was now redeeming her promise. —Henry James, Roderick Hudson, 1875
We had, however, redeemed … the character of our country, by showing that there was at any rate a body of persons determined to use all the means which the law afforded to obtain justice for the injured. —John Stuart Mill, Autobiography, 1874
Their temporal dominion is now confirmed by the reverence of a thousand years; and their noblest title is the free choice of a people, whom they had redeemed from slavery. —Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1788
The exciting ending partially redeems what is otherwise a very dull movie.
He wants to redeem his reputation.
You can redeem this coupon at any store.
You have 90 days to redeem your winning lottery ticket.
This voucher can be redeemed for a free meal at several local restaurants.
The government will pay you interest when it redeems the bonds you bought.
The company redeemed some of its stock.

Recent Examples of redeem from the Web

Korben’s evolution is crucial to winning her over, to proving that there’s still a chance to redeem mankind.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "How The Fifth Element Subverted Sci-Fi Movies," 19 July 2017
Bar Amá Historic Core, $$ Josef Centeno brings the flavors of his Texas heritage to 4th and Main and, in doing so, redeems an entire cuisine.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
Guests who redeem the cone offer on the mobile app from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time July 16 will be entered to win the Golden Arches Cone Game, which is open to U.S. residents 13 years of age or older.

— lucy berry, AL.com, "How to get a free McDonald's vanilla cone for National Ice Cream Day," 13 July 2017
Anyone who downloads the McDonald's app, redeems the free cone coupon, and picks up their ice cream between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m on Sunday (July 16) will be entered to win.

— melissa minton, Teen Vogue, "McDonald's Holds Contest for Lifetime Supply of Ice Cream," 11 July 2017
As struggling players and teams are fond of saying, baseball gives them a chance at redeeming themselves the next day after a bad outing.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Rangers bullpen back in spotlight vs. Red Sox," 3 July 2017
After a disappointing finish in the postseason, falling to the Spurs 4-2, the Rockets hope to acquire some talent in the draft that could bolster their high-powered offense and redeem their 2017 postseason woes.

— tim kiernan, SI.com, "Houston Rockets NBA draft picks: 2017 round-by-round results, grades," 22 June 2017
For those who owe, Monday's successful bidders now hold liens against properties which must either be redeemed by the owners paying the taxes with interest to the lienholders, or the property could go to foreclosure.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford County recoups more than $934,000 in delinquent property taxes in 2017 tax sale," 20 June 2017
After missing most of her first varsity season, Wieman was prepared to redeem herself the following year.

— monica d'ippolito, Howard County Times, "Howard senior Ally Wieman pitches way to Howard County softball Player of the Year," 20 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of redeem

Middle English redemen, from Anglo-French redemer, modification of Latin redimere, from re-, red- re- + emere to take, buy; akin to Lithuanian imti to take

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of redeem

rescue, deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger. rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action. rescued the crew of a sinking ship deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering. delivered his people from bondage redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary. job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity. tried to ransom the kidnap victim reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased. reclaimed long-abandoned farms save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence. an operation that saved my life

REDEEM Defined for English Language Learners

redeem

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verb

Definition of redeem for English Language Learners

: to make (something that is bad, unpleasant, etc.) better or more acceptable
: to exchange (something, such as a coupon or lottery ticket) for money, an award, etc.
: to buy back (something, such as a stock or bond)

REDEEM Defined for Kids

redeem

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verb re·deem \ri-ˈdēm\

Definition of redeem for Students

1 : to make up for The exciting ending redeemed the otherwise dull movie.
2 : to buy, get, or win back He redeemed his honor.
3 : to make good : fulfill You must redeem your promise.
4 : to exchange for something of value I redeemed my tickets for a prize.
5 : to free from sin

redeemer

noun

Law Dictionary

redeem

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transitive verb re·deem \ri-ˈdēm\

Legal Definition of redeem

1a : repurchase b : to repurchase by right and not on the open market redeem preferred shares
2a : to free from a lien or pledge usually by payment of the amount secured thereby redeem collateral b : to exercise an equity of redemption in (real property) by payment in full of a mortgage debt after default but prior to a foreclosure becoming effective a right to redeem property prior to the actual sale under a judgment of foreclosure — Bowery Sav. Bank v. Harbert Offset Corp., 558 N.Y.S.2d 821 (1990) — see also equity of redemption c : to exercise a right of redemption in (real property) within the period set by law by a repurchase that voids the effect of foreclosure or sale — see also right of redemption Editor's note: A mortgagor with a right of redemption might redeem property within the set period following a foreclosure sale by paying the new purchaser the purchase price, interest, taxes, and lawful charges. d : to remove the obligation of by payment (as at maturity) redeem a bond
3a : to present and have redeemed b : to exchange for something of value
intransitive verb
: to redeem something (as real property) failed to exercise its equity of redemption, and this part of the right to redeem was therefore cut off — Hausman v. Dayton, 653 N.E.2d 1190 (1995)