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

Noun Inflected Forms

• 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

See Examples For:

recovery recoveries

President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster following the accident and search and recovery efforts are continuing by divers.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

A recovery in Russian refining and exports or a normalization of Middle Eastern flows could ease the squeeze.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

The best stock-market performance historically comes in the early stages of an earnings recovery, when growth is barely back in positive territory.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026

While there are growing concerns about the state of the US economy, Asian investors are taking a more positive approach for now, with tech firms again enjoying a recovery from July's selloff.

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

As the barge and its accompanying fleet of vessels then made their way toward the harbor, Wendell Lewis, director of the recovery operation, sent a message to the top harbor official.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

It does expect to incur a total of $2.2 billion in tariff payments for the year, not considering the recoveries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

There are currently more than 17,000 people under monitoring after coming into contact with Ebola cases, 674 patients in isolation or treatment across five provinces, and 776 recoveries, according to authorities.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

By examining how koalas responded to earlier population crashes and recoveries, scientists may be able to develop better conservation strategies for protecting the species today.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026

A handful of California species recoveries have been championed as success stories under the Endangered Species Act, including southern sea otters, peregrine falcons, humpback whales, bald eagles and green sea turtles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026

Up until now there have been preliminary stumblings, recoveries, a clutching for handholds.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

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