recapture

[ ree-kap-cher ]

verb (used with object)

, re·cap·tured, re·cap·tur·ing.

1. to capture again; recover by capture; retake.
2. (of a government) to take by recapture.
3. to recollect or reexperience (something past).

noun

1. the recovery or retaking by capture.
2. the taking by the government of a fixed part of all earnings in excess of a certain percentage of property value, as in the case of a railroad.
3. International Law. the lawful reacquisition of a former possession.
4. the state or fact of being recaptured.

recapture

/ riːˈkæptʃə /

verb

1. to capture or take again
2. to recover, renew, or repeat (a lost or former ability, sensation, etc)

   she soon recaptured her high spirits

3. (of the government) to take lawfully (a proportion of the profits of a public-service undertaking)

noun

1. the act of recapturing or fact of being recaptured
2. the seizure by the government of a proportion of the profits of a public-service undertaking

Other Words From

• re·captur·a·ble adjective
• unre·captured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recapture¹

First recorded in 1745–55; re- + capture

Example Sentences

All she knew was that Fred was a prisoner of war, and had escaped before being recaptured - so BBC Breakfast took them both to the archives to find out more.

From BBC

He had been due for sentencing in 2022 but he escaped in September that year by cutting off his ankle bracelet, and was recaptured within days.

From BBC

“What are you going to do to protect the health of the people? Children’s lungs are growing now. This is not something you can recapture.”

From Los Angeles Times

We saw plenty of evidence early on that Harris and Walz also belong in this group and there are signs that they are trying to recapture the strength and emotional appeal of their earlier messaging.

From Salon

Harris needs to recapture the spirit of the New Deal, when Democrats had landslide victories among working-class voters who have been migrating in droves to the GOP since.

From Salon

Related Words

• reclaim
• recover
• retake
• take back