re-count

[ree-kount, ree-kount, ree-kount]

verb (used with object)

1. to count again.

noun

1. a second or additional count, as of votes in an election.

re-count

verb

1. to count (votes, etc) again

noun

1. a second or further count, esp of votes in a closely contested election

Word History and Origins

Origin of re-count¹

First recorded in 1755–65; re- + count ¹

When To Use

What does re-count mean?

A re-count is a second or additional count, such as of votes or money, as in The election vote re-count had everyone wondering who really won the race.To re-count is to count the same thing again, as in Every time I re-count my cash drawer, the total comes out different.Re-count can be confused with recount (no hyphen). To recount something is relate or narrate something, as when you recount your fishing adventures to your friends.Example: There were some distractions during the first count, so I think we need a re-count.