claims; claimed; claiming
1
: to say that (something) is true when some people may say it is not true
The man claimed (that) he was a long-lost relative.
They claim (that) the drug prevents hair loss.
She claims (that) the landlord owes her money.
—often followed by to + verbHe claims to know nothing about the robbery.
He claims to be an expert.
2
a
: to say that you have (something)
He claims a connection to British royalty.
The organization claims 10,000 members.
He claimed ignorance of the robbery. [=he said that he had no knowledge about the robbery]
b
: to say that (something) belongs to you or that you deserve (something)
The terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack.
New Yorkers proudly claim the artist as one of their own.
Both of them claimed credit for the idea.
No one ever claimed authorship for the poem.
3
: to say that you have a legal right to be given (something)
You should claim compensation for the hours you worked.
No heirs came forward to claim the inheritance.
They claimed asylum.
You can claim these expenses as tax deductions. [=you can say that you should be able to pay less money in taxes because of these expenses]
4
: to take (something that belongs to you or that you deserve)
She claimed her baggage and left the airport.
The exiled king returned to claim his rightful place on the throne.
5
—used to say that someone's attention, time, etc., is being given to something
An urgent message claimed [=required, demanded] his attention.
This issue has already claimed too much of our time. [=we have already spent too much time on this issue]
6
: to cause the end of someone's life
The accident claimed seven victims. [=seven people were killed in the accident]
the fatal illness that claimed her life [=caused her death]
plural claims
1
: a statement saying that something happened a certain way or will happen a certain way : a statement saying that something is true when some people may say it is not true
She makes the claim that sea levels will actually go down.
He made false claims about his past job experience.
The book makes some extravagant claims. [=it includes statements that many people will not agree with]
She disputes/denies the claim [=she says it isn't true] that she was unfaithful to her husband.
I make no claim to be an expert. [=I don't say that I am an expert]
2
: an official request for something (such as money) that is owed to you or that you believe is owed to you
You'll need to file an insurance claim to pay for the damage.
make a claim on your insurance policy
All claims must be made in writing.
Please fill out this claim form. [=a document with information about why you should be given money]
3
: a right to have something
—usually + on or to
The bank has a claim on/to their house and land.
The book would have little claim on our attention if not for the fact that its story is true.
the family's claim to the name
Note: To lay claim to (something) is to say that it belongs to you or that you have a right to it.
4
: an area of land that you take as your own often for a specified use
a mining/timber claim
Cite this Entry
“Claim.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/claim. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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