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regain

American  
[ree-geyn] / riˈgeɪn /

verb (used with object)

regains, present (3rd person singular) regained, past participle, past regaining present participle
  1. to get again; recover.

    to regain one's health.

  2. to succeed in reaching again; get back to.

    to regain the shore.


noun

  1. (in a moisture-free fabric) the percentage of the weight that represents the amount of moisture the material is expected to absorb under normal conditions.

regain British  

verb

  1. to take or get back; recover

  2. to reach again

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the process of getting something back, esp lost weight

    this regain was inevitable

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of regain

First recorded in 1540–50; re- + gain 1

Explanation

After you get off of a crazy carnival ride, you'll probably have to regain your balance, or get it back. Any time you've lost something and want to recover it, you hope to regain it. If your friend is furious with you because you didn't keep a secret she told you, you'll probably try to regain her trust and as a result, regain her friendship.

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Vocabulary lists containing regain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Signals from the gut, hormones, metabolism, and the brain can all influence hunger, cravings, and weight regain.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

It was unclear how many accounts had been hacked, with Bluesky removing many of the propaganda posts or suspending affected accounts until their owners stepped forward to regain control.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

He took a mid-game medical timeout and left the court at the end of the third and fourth sets, but could not regain his fitness as he fell to world number 56 Cerundolo.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

China’s zero-tariff initiative might allow Beijing to regain some lost ground in Africa.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

I stumble, flailing and trying to regain my balance before any part of me comes between the huge steel wheels and the track.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

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