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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Democrats are grieving and searching for answers after an election that saw their nemesis reclaim the presidency while his fellow Republicans gained control of the Senate and may hold the House as well. Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024 The reality, though, is that even something as apparently low-tech as cooking a potato chip can require over half a dozen different machines to mix, roll, slice, reclaim scraps, fry, sort, flavor and package the finished product. Chris Turlica, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Biden reclaimed these three states from Trump in 2020. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 That’s been a big sort of arc, especially this season with his character, is sort of reclaiming that passion. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reclaim 

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 28 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!