reclaim

verb

re·​claim ri-ˈklām How to pronounce reclaim (audio)
reclaimed; reclaiming; reclaims

transitive verb

1
a
: to recall from wrong or improper conduct : reform
b
2
a
: to rescue from an undesirable state
also : to restore to a previous natural state
reclaim mining sites
b
: to make available for human use by changing natural conditions
reclaim swampland
3
: to obtain from a waste product or by-product : recover
reclaimed plastic
4
a
: to demand or obtain the return of
b
: to regain possession of
reclaimable adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for reclaim

rescue, deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger.

rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary.

job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence.

an operation that saved my life

Examples of reclaim in a Sentence

Sons and daughters are proudly reclaiming the traditions that their parents had forgotten. She reclaimed the title of world champion this year. You might be able to reclaim some of the money you contributed. Environmental groups have been reclaiming contaminated sites. Acres of land were reclaimed by conservationists. The factory reclaims fibers from textile wastes.
Recent Examples on the Web If the first half of the book details the journey that leads Russell to losing her voice, the second half is dedicated to reclaiming it. Luna Adler, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2024 Ray of Light' (1998) Another huge artistic stride, this single was seen as Madonna reclaiming her spot on the front lines of the dance-pop revolution, bringing in producer William Orbit for a clattering gem of a track with elements of techno, trance and electronic dance. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024 That’s the existential fear for the Democrats, who are hoping to reclaim the heavily agricultural district from vulnerable Republican incumbent Rep. David Valadao. Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Who is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos? Bezos, who founded Amazon in 1994 and is currently its chairman, recently surpassed Elon Musk to reclaim the title of World's Richest Man for the first time since 2021, according to the Wall Street Journal. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 5 Mar. 2024 The Amazon founder, 60, reclaimed the title by edging out Tesla CEO Elon Musk by $2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index on Monday. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 On Monday, Jeff Bezos reclaimed the title with a current net worth of $200 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2024 After the first iteration of Mount Ascutney went bankrupt in 2010 and was forced to sell its chairlifts, the locals of Windsor, Vermont, decided to reclaim their mountain and raised the funds to purchase a new rope tow. Todd Plummer, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024 Conservationists reclaimed the riverbank to create improbable oases, like Starlight Park, hugging the Sheridan Expressway near East 173rd Street. Sam Roberts, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reclamen, from Anglo-French reclamer, from Latin reclamare to cry out, protest, from re- + clamare to cry out — more at claim

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Dictionary Entries Near reclaim

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

reclaim

verb
re·​claim ri-ˈklām How to pronounce reclaim (audio)
1
: to make someone better in behavior or character : reform
reclaim criminals
2
: to change to a desirable condition or state
reclaim the desert for agriculture
also : to restore to a previous natural state
reclaim mining sites
3
: to obtain from a waste product or by-product : recover
reclaimed wool
reclaimable adjective

Legal Definition

reclaim

transitive verb
re·​claim ˌrē-ˈklām How to pronounce reclaim (audio)
1
: to make fit or available for human use
reclaiming land that had been strip-mined
2
a
: to demand the return of by right
b
: to regain possession of

More from Merriam-Webster on reclaim

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