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
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
People Are Reading
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
-
There are former Confederates who sought redeem themselves—
-
Gift cards can be redeemed at the June 21 event to purchase Master Gardener created garden art and plants.
-
There is the workaholic, the drunkard, the shrew, all with some redeeming qualities, but only just enough to be sympathetic.
-
Codes may be redeemed at Fandango.com/promo/PGSummerMovies through Sept. 30.
-
No victory, however satisfying, can redeem the disappointment from over a week of losing, and no one wearing the home white at Camden Yards on Memorial Day was under that illusion.
-
Promises must be kept, issues must be sorted, redemption must be redeemed.
-
Both movies are loopy, dreamy, near-disaster zones that flirt coquettishly with genre conventions – detective fiction for Inherent Vice, the killer-redeemed-through-killing subgenre for YWNRH.
-
Ishtar, the notorious 1987 flop starring Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman as bumbling songwriters, had one undeniably redeeming feature.
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
Synonym Discussion of redeem
REDEEM Defined for English Language Learners
redeem
playDefinition 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
playDefinition 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
nounLaw Dictionary
redeem
playLegal 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)
Learn More about redeem
-
See words that rhyme with redeem Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for redeem Spanish Central: Translation of redeem Nglish: Translation of redeem for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of redeem for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up redeem? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!