recovery

American  

[ri-kuhv-uh-ree] / rɪˈkʌv ə ri /

noun

plural

recoveries

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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of recovery

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

Example Sentences

It even gave extra female-specific advice, including omega-3 for post-workout recovery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

They also received specialised courses in battlefield medicine, complex recovery operations and weapons.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The plucky little lion has since been transferred to the Oakland Zoo, where veterinarians are hopeful he will make a full recovery.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Much of March's recovery was fueled by health care jobs, which have remained resilient even as labor demand has dropped in other sectors.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Nothing made him happier than seeing a patient beating all odds to make a recovery.

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

Related Words

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