claim

[ kleym ]

verb (used with object)

1. to demand by or as by virtue of a right; demand as a right or as due:

   to claim an estate by inheritance.

2. to assert and demand the recognition of (a right, title, possession, etc.); assert one's right to:

   to claim payment for services.

3. to assert or maintain as a fact:

   She claimed that he was telling the truth.

4. to require as due or fitting:

   to claim respect.

verb (used without object)

1. to make or file a claim:

   to claim for additional compensation.

noun

1. a demand for something as due; an assertion of a right or an alleged right:

   He made unreasonable claims on the doctor's time.

   Synonyms: call, requisition, request

2. an assertion of something as a fact:

   He made no claims to originality.

3. a right to claim or demand; a just title to something:

   His claim to the heavyweight title is disputed.

4. something that is claimed, especially a piece of public land for which formal request is made for mining or other purposes.
5. a request or demand for payment in accordance with an insurance policy, a workers' compensation law, etc.:

   We filed a claim for compensation from the company.

claim

/ kleɪm /

verb

1. to demand as being due or as one's property; assert one's title or right to

   he claimed the record

2. takes a clause as object or an infinitive to assert as a fact; maintain against denial

   he claimed to be telling the truth

3. to call for or need; deserve

   this problem claims our attention

4. to take

   the accident claimed four lives

noun

1. an assertion of a right; a demand for something as due
2. an assertion of something as true, real, or factual

   he made claims for his innocence

3. a right or just title to something; basis for demand

   a claim to fame

4. lay claim to or stake a claim to
   to assert one's possession of or right to
5. anything that is claimed, esp in a formal or legal manner, such as a piece of land staked out by a miner
6. law a document under seal, issued in the name of the Crown or a court, commanding the person to whom it is addressed to do or refrain from doing some specified act former name writ 1
7. 1. a demand for payment in connection with an insurance policy, etc
   2. the sum of money demanded

Derived Forms

• ˈclaimer, noun
• ˈclaimable, adjective

Other Words From

• claima·ble adjective
• claimless adjective
• mis·claim verb (used with object)
• non·claima·ble adjective
• over·claim verb (used with object)
• pre·claim verb (used with object) noun
• super·claim noun
• un·claimed adjective
• un·claiming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of claim¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English claimen, from Anglo-French, Old French claimer, from Latin clāmāre “to cry out”; (noun) Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French cla(i)me; the noun is derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of claim¹

C13: from Old French claimer to call, appeal, from Latin clāmāre to shout

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. lay claim to, to declare oneself entitled to:

   I have never laid claim to being an expert in tax laws.

More idioms and phrases containing claim

In addition to the idiom beginning with claim , also see lay claim to ; stake a claim .

Synonym Study

See demand.

Example Sentences

A jury found that Colomey’s claim had merit, ruling in his favor Wednesday afternoon and awarding him about $3.5 million in damages.

From Los Angeles Times

Grasso has filed her own government claim against the city, alleging that she was denied a promotion in retaliation for her decision to testify on Colomey’s behalf.

From Los Angeles Times

The former Fox News host made that claim despite a police report and an email from his mother that called him an "abuser of women."

From Salon

Especially in Mauritius and Senegal, the party in power also undermined its claim to be a government committed to respecting political rights and civil liberties – a dangerous misstep in countries where the vast majority of citizens are committed to democracy, and which have previously seen opposition victories.

From BBC

Local authorities which house people in temporary accommodation generally pay the up-front costs and claim the cash back from central government.

From BBC

Related Words

• allegation
• application
• assertion
• call
• case
• demand
• interest
• petition
• plea
• request
• requirement
• suit