recovery

[ ri-kuhv-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural re·cov·er·ies.

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.

recovery

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of recovery¹

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

Example Sentences

Neither could her three-week, multi-thousand dollar stay, which was supposed to be a recovery period.

From The Daily Beast

It happens, of course, but the less time a person is sick, the better their chances of recovery.

From The Daily Beast

My eating disorder continued for more than a decade before I finally entered recovery.

From The Daily Beast

The problem is that no one has yet defined eating disorder recovery.

From The Daily Beast

Recovery from a long-term eating disorder is a bit of a statistical anomaly.

From The Daily Beast

You need but will, and it is done; but if you relax your efforts, you will be ruined; for ruin and recovery are both from within.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a notable fact that under the wholly unusual circumstances prevailing, the recovery was so prompt and effective.

From Project Gutenberg

His only chance of ultimate recovery was to push boldly forward, and to betray no fear of failure.

From Project Gutenberg

What other channel, then, was open to the country through which to insist upon the recovery of its lawful rights?

From Project Gutenberg

I let him go on, exulting in the discovery that he was a liar, for I knew that it pushed me a step towards recovery.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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