Synonyms

reclaim

American

[ri-kleym] / rɪˈkleɪm /

verb (used with object)

to bring (uncultivated areas or wasteland) into a condition for cultivation or other use.
to recover (substances) in a pure or usable form from refuse, discarded articles, etc.

Synonyms:

restore, regain
to bring back to a preferable manner of living, sound principles, ideas, etc.
to tame.
re-claim.

verb (used without object)

to protest; object.

noun

reclamation.

beyond reclaim.

reclaim British

/ rɪˈkleɪm /

verb

to claim back

to reclaim baggage
to convert (desert, marsh, waste ground, etc) into land suitable for growing crops
to recover (useful substances) from waste products
to convert (someone) from sin, folly, vice, etc
falconry to render (a hawk or falcon) tame

"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

the act of reclaiming or state of being reclaimed

"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

Related Words

See recover.

Other Word Forms

nonreclaimable adjective
reclaimable adjective
reclaimant noun
reclaimer noun
unreclaimable adjective

Etymology

Origin of reclaim

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English recla(i)men, from Old French reclamer (tonic stem reclaim- ), from Latin reclāmāre “to cry out against,” equivalent to re- + clāmāre “to claim”; (noun) Middle English reclaim(e), from Old French reclaim, reclam, derivative of reclamer ; re-, claim

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.

The Minneapolis city tow lot is waiving fees for people reclaiming cars they had to leave stranded after they or family members were arrested by ICE—a blow to the city’s coffers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Currently ranked sixth, Mertens will reclaim the women's doubles world number one ranking with the victory.

From Barron's

The win moved them a point ahead at the summit after 20 games, even if Luis Enrique's team will be able to reclaim first place by avoiding defeat away to Strasbourg on Sunday.

From Barron's

This comes after weeks of clashes which saw Syrian troops reclaim large swathes of territory in the north-east that had been under SDF control for more than a decade.

From BBC

“We are delighted that the Swiss Federal Supreme Court has righted a wrong and given Jordan the chance she deserves to reclaim her bronze medal,” Suh said.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023