re·cov·er
ri-ˈkə-vər 
recovered; recovering
ri-ˈkə-və-riŋ
-ˈkəv-riŋ
1
: to get back : regain
2
a
: to bring back to normal position or condition
stumbled, then recovered himself
b
archaic
: rescue
3
a
: to make up for
recover increased costs through higher prices
b
: to gain by legal process
4
archaic
: reach
5
: to find or identify again
recover a comet
6
a
: to obtain from an ore, a waste product, or a by-product
b
: to save from loss and restore to usefulness : reclaim
1
: to regain a normal position or condition (as of health)
recovering from a cold
2
: to obtain a final legal judgment in one's favor
Synonyms
Examples of recover in a Sentence
Verb (1)
She had a heart attack but is recovering well.
Share prices will be down until the economy recovers.
She recovered consciousness in the hospital.
I slipped, but somehow recovered my balance.
He suffered a stroke and hasn't yet recovered the use of his left arm.
The police recovered his stolen wallet.
The program helps users recover computer files that have been deleted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dennis Waszak Jr., Twin Cities, 19 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately, things go from dire to actually tragic when Chloe, who’d been recovering from surgery, suddenly spikes her potassium levels and starts coding.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
Nancy Baggett, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Remove salmon from the refrigerator and turn pieces so all sides are immersed in the rub; re-cover and place container back in the refrigerator for at least 14 hours or up to 3 days.
—Kimberly Winter Stern, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recover 
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show current usage.
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Verb
But the four-time NFL MVP tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into the 2023 season opener and the Jets never recovered, finishing 7-10.
—Dennis Waszak Jr., Twin Cities, 19 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately, things go from dire to actually tragic when Chloe, who’d been recovering from surgery, suddenly spikes her potassium levels and starts coding.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
Microwave on high 2 for minutes, then turn over the bacon; re-cover with the paper towels.
—Nancy Baggett, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Remove salmon from the refrigerator and turn pieces so all sides are immersed in the rub; re-cover and place container back in the refrigerator for at least 14 hours or up to 3 days.
—Kimberly Winter Stern, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recover
Dictionary Entries Near recover
Cite this Entry
“Recover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recover. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
recover
1 of 2 verb
re·cov·er
ri-ˈkəv-ər
recovered; recovering
-ˈkəv-(ə-)riŋ
1
: regain sense 1
recover a lost wallet
recovered my breath
2
: to regain or bring back to normal health, self-confidence, or position
stumbled, then recovered myself
recovered from the flu
3
: to make up for
recover lost time
4
: to obtain something useful by separating it from a source (as ore or waste) : reclaim
recover gold from gravel
re-cover
2 of 2 verb
re-cov·er
(ˈ)rē-ˈkəv-ər
: to cover again
Medical Definition
recover
intransitive verb
re·cov·er
ri-ˈkəv-ər
recovered; recovering
-(ə-)riŋ
: to regain a normal position or condition (as of health)
recovering from the effects of a cold
Legal Definition
recover
transitive verb
re·cov·er
ri-ˈkə-vər
1
: to get back or get back an equivalent for
recover costs through higher prices
2
a
: to obtain or get back (as damages, satisfaction for a debt, or property) through a judgment or decree
recover damages in a tort action
b
: to obtain (a judgment) in one's favor
1
: to get something back
2
: to obtain damages or something else through a judgment
argued that the plaintiff should not be permitted to recover
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