reclaim
rih-KLAYM
Reclaim (verb) means to get something back that was lost, taken, or given up. Example: “She reclaimed her maiden name after the divorce.”
verb
1
To get something back that was lost, taken, or given up.
"She reclaimed her maiden name after the divorce."
"He went to the lost-and-found to reclaim his umbrella."
2
To make land usable again, especially by draining water or clearing waste from it.
"The city reclaimed the old dockyards and turned them into a park."
3
To recover useful material from waste so it can be reused.
"The factory reclaims scrap metal from old appliances."
How to use reclaim
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo take back or restore something — a possession, a piece of land, or a word.
Common pairings
reclaim land
reclaim your identity
reclaimed wood
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- reclaims
- Past tense
- reclaimed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ her maiden name after the divorce.
Etymology
From Old French reclamer, from Latin reclamare, "to cry out against, protest" — the sense shifted over time from "call back" to today's "get back" or "restore."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for reclaim
See all rhymes for reclaim →Frequently asked questions
What does “reclaim” mean?
The word “reclaim” means to get something back that was lost, taken, or given up. In plain terms, to take back or restore something — a possession, a piece of land, or a word.
How do you pronounce “reclaim”?
“Reclaim” is pronounced rih-KLAYM (/ɹɪˈkleɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “reclaim” in a sentence?
Here is “reclaim” used in a sentence: “She reclaimed her maiden name after the divorce.”
What part of speech is “reclaim”?
“Reclaim” is a verb.
Where does the word “reclaim” come from?
The word “reclaim” comes from Latin. From Old French reclamer, from Latin reclamare, "to cry out against, protest" — the sense shifted over time from "call back" to today's "get back" or "restore.".
Is “reclaim” a common word?
“Reclaim” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “reclaim” have?
“Reclaim” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to get something back that was lost, taken, or given up.
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