reckoning

noun

reck·​on·​ing ˈre-kə-niŋ How to pronounce reckoning (audio)
ˈrek-niŋ
1
: the act or an instance of reckoning: such as
a
c
: calculation of a ship's position
2
: a settling of accounts
day of reckoning
3
: a summing up

Examples of reckoning in a Sentence

I was more than $10 off in my reckoning. When the day of reckoning comes, we will have to face some unpleasant truths. Our football team hardly comes into the reckoning. Because of his injury, he is out of the reckoning. The team is still in the reckoning.
Recent Examples on the Web Like the Beatles of Rubber Soul, the Ariana Grande of Eternal Sunshine is combining a musical renewal with a personal reckoning. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 13 Mar. 2024 But growing criticism from some parents, teachers and students in the mid-2010s triggered a reckoning in the sector. Emma Bubola, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 The commentary reflects how Floyd’s homicide and the following period of racial reckoning affected Jonsson. Joe Davidson, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 The 2020 racial reckoning ushered in a host of new entrants to the corporate diversity function. Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 When Russian forces invaded Ukraine two years ago, Germany braced for a painful reckoning. Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 4 Mar. 2024 The new reckoning really kicked off in early December with the airing of an investigative documentary showing Gerard Depardieu making derogatory and sexualized comments about a pre-adolescent girl. Ben Croll, Variety, 22 Feb. 2024 State party turmoil Ahead of his visit, Trump and his allies sought to put an end to turmoil within the Michigan Republican Party, which has faced a reckoning over its readiness for the 2024 election. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2024 In recent years, museums and universities across the United States have undergone a reckoning over the thousands of Native American remains in their collections that federal laws forced them to address in the 1990s after years of activism from Indigenous communities. Claire Healy, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reckoning.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reckoning was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near reckoning

Cite this Entry

“Reckoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reckoning. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reckoning

noun
reck·​on·​ing
1
: the act or an instance of calculating
2
: a settling of accounts
day of reckoning

More from Merriam-Webster on reckoning

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