claim
to demand by or as by virtue of a right; demand as a right or as due: to claim an estate by inheritance.
to assert and demand the recognition of (a right, title, possession, etc.); assert one's right to: to claim payment for services.
to assert or maintain as a fact: She claimed that he was telling the truth.
to require as due or fitting: to claim respect.
to make or file a claim: to claim for additional compensation.
a demand for something as due; an assertion of a right or an alleged right: He made unreasonable claims on the doctor's time.
an assertion of something as a fact: He made no claims to originality.
a right to claim or demand; a just title to something: His claim to the heavyweight title is disputed.
something that is claimed, especially a piece of public land for which formal request is made for mining or other purposes.
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.
Idioms about claim
lay claim to, to declare oneself entitled to: I have never laid claim to being an expert in tax laws.
Origin of claim
1synonym study For claim
word story For claim
The verb claim originally meant “to assert a legal right, to make a demand for something that is one’s due.” In the 19th century, claim developed a looser, less strict sense, especially in American usage, “to make an unsubstantiated statement; assert or maintain as a fact,” a meaning considered inelegant at that time but also one that occurs in the writings of Chaucer.
The legal term quitclaim meaning “to quit or give up a right or claim” dates from the 14th century in England. The noun claim meaning “a request or demand for payment in accordance with an insurance policy” dates from the 19th century.
Just as we intuitively understand the relationship between claim and quitclaim, it's pretty clear how the words acclaim, reclaim, proclaim, etc., are related in meaning and etymology to claim.
Other words for claim
Other words from claim
- claim·a·ble, adjective
- claimless, 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use claim in a sentence
The “doctorate” Duke claims is from an anti-Semitic Ukranian “diploma mill” as described by the State Department.
She claims the FBI tried to enlist her as a cooperating source in their investigation.
An Informant, a Missing American, and Juarez’s House of Death: Inside the 12-Year Cold Case of David Castro | Bill Conroy | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTMaxwell was not available for comment but has described all claims against her as “untrue” and “obvious lies.”
Maxwell was not available for comment describes all claims against her as “untrue” and “obvious lies.”
Buckingham Palace Disputes Sex Allegations Against Prince ‘Randy Andy’ | Tom Sykes | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe new claims present numerous big problems for Prince Andrew.
Buckingham Palace Disputes Sex Allegations Against Prince ‘Randy Andy’ | Tom Sykes | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
All over the world the just claims of organized labor are intermingled with the underground conspiracy of social revolution.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockEach religion claims that its own Bible is the direct revelation of God, and is the only true Bible teaching the only true faith.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordThat I am not endeavouring to recall Anne's claims on you in saying this, I am sure you are perfectly aware, knowing me as you do.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry WoodThere wanted but a month to the acceptable season when claims upon the house poured in which could not be put off.
We have claims upon us, amounting to several thousand pounds, which must be met within a week.
British Dictionary definitions for claim
/ (kleɪm) /
to demand as being due or as one's property; assert one's title or right to: he claimed the record
(takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to assert as a fact; maintain against denial: he claimed to be telling the truth
to call for or need; deserve: this problem claims our attention
to take: the accident claimed four lives
an assertion of a right; a demand for something as due
an assertion of something as true, real, or factual: he made claims for his innocence
a right or just title to something; basis for demand: a claim to fame
lay claim to or stake a claim to to assert one's possession of or right to
anything that is claimed, esp in a formal or legal manner, such as a piece of land staked out by a miner
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
a demand for payment in connection with an insurance policy, etc
the sum of money demanded
Origin of claim
1Derived forms of claim
- claimable, adjective
- claimer, noun
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 Idioms and Phrases with claim
In addition to the idiom beginning with claim
- claim check
also see:
- lay claim to
- stake a claim
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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