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

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Etymology

Origin of recovery

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Anglo-French word recoverie. See recover, -y ³

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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

The most likely trigger in this case would be a quicker-than-expected recovery in exports from the Middle East, the analysts said.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 2, 2026

Soaring global investment in artificial intelligence and strong semiconductor exports have fueled the recovery in South Korea, home to the world’s two largest memory-chip makers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026

Marco Palestra: The Italian made some good recovery runs on his first start for Chelsea but was also part of a below-par defensive display from an organisational perspective.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026

While the home team never trailed, San Juan Hills cut the score to 47-44 midway through the fourth quarter after an improbable onside kick recovery.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026

“Welcome to our glorious treasure recovery, folks!” he said to the camera.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

Some of those events were followed by swift recoveries.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026

Although some years have brought modest recoveries, Antarctic sea ice has generally remained below its historical average.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

Chambers said: "We've had a good level of success over the last 12-months. We've had the most recoveries and biggest reduction in discharges we've seen in recent years."

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

They promise to trade dramatic results for quicker, less painful recoveries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

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

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

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Related Words

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

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