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

Inflected Forms

noun

• 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

She was out of the country when the fire broke out and has received criticism over her handling of the recovery.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

A successful margin recovery would likely bring investors back quickly, since the company’s top-line growth remains healthy.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Although the recent May earnings report showed signs of recovery, with margins rising to 9.9%, it’s unclear if those levels are sustainable going forward.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

“Our recovery depends on creating opportunity through jobs, thriving small businesses, and attracting investment—not making it harder for employers to grow here,” the mayor said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Through email, Farmer dutifully kept track of Christian’s progress and eventual recovery, but he hadn’t seen him or his family until this moment.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

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