recovery

American  

[ri-kuhv-uh-ree] / rɪˈkʌv ə ri /

noun

recoveries plural

1. an act of recovering.

2. the regaining of or possibility of regaining something lost or taken away.

3. restoration or return to health from sickness.

4. restoration or return to any former and better state or condition.

5. time required for recovering.

6. something that is gained in recovering.

7. an improvement in the economy marking the end of a recession or decline.

8. the regaining of substances in usable form, as from refuse material or waste products.

9. Law. the obtaining of right to something by verdict or judgment of a court of law.

10. Football. an act or instance of recovering a fumble.

11. Fencing. the movement to the position of guard after a lunge.

12. Rowing. a return to a former position for making the next stroke.

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recovery British  

/ rɪˈkʌvərɪ /

noun

1. the act or process of recovering, esp from sickness, a shock, or a setback; recuperation

2. restoration to a former or better condition

3. the regaining of something lost

4. the extraction of useful substances from waste

5. the recovery of a space capsule after a space flight

6. law

   1. the obtaining of a right, etc, by the judgment of a court

   2. (in the US) the final judgment or verdict in a case

7. fencing a return to the position of guard after making an attack

8. swimming rowing the action of bringing the arm, oar, etc, forward for another stroke

9. golf a stroke played from the rough or a bunker to the fairway or green

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• recoveries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of recovery

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Anglo-French word recoverie. See recover, -y ³

Explanation

The noun recovery refers to the process of healing after an illness or injury. Your recovery from your broken leg will go quicker if you keep off the leg. Use your crutches and definitely no skiing or hopscotch! A recovery is when you save something that was lost, in danger of becoming lost, or retrieved. If something was taken from you, such as diamonds, money, or your dignity, and you get it back, you can say that you are glad for its recovery. The noun recovery also refers to a return to a natural or original state. After a devastating hurricane, an area's recovery may take many years.

Example Sentences

“We’re hoping that there’s going to be a quick recovery path,” Ethan McKinley, superintendent of Channel Islands National Park, said of the pines.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

The fact that a home may be exempt from eligibility while a person is alive and applying for Medicaid does not necessarily mean the property will be protected from recovery efforts after their death.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

“This has been a supply-driven freight recovery as opposed to a demand-driven freight recovery,” Brown said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

But the bull case and valuation recovery will likely rest on comparable sales in the coming quarters.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

The recovery of this letter, which Booth had carelessly—perhaps on purpose?—let fall into the hands of the manhunters was obviously addressed to the actor by an unknown conspirator.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Related Words

• comeback
• healing
• improvement
• recuperation
• rehabilitation
• renewal
• resurgence
• revival