reclaim

[ ri-kleym ]

verb (used with object)

1. to bring (uncultivated areas or wasteland) into a condition for cultivation or other use.
2. to recover (substances) in a pure or usable form from refuse, discarded articles, etc.

   Synonyms: restore, regain

3. to bring back to a preferable manner of living, sound principles, ideas, etc.
4. to tame.
5. re-claim.

verb (used without object)

1. to protest; object.

noun

1. reclamation:

   beyond reclaim.

reclaim

/ rɪˈkleɪm /

verb

1. to claim back

   to reclaim baggage

2. to convert (desert, marsh, waste ground, etc) into land suitable for growing crops
3. to recover (useful substances) from waste products
4. to convert (someone) from sin, folly, vice, etc
5. falconry to render (a hawk or falcon) tame

noun

1. the act of reclaiming or state of being reclaimed

Derived Forms

• reˈclaimant, noun
• reˈclaimable, adjective

Other Words From

• re·claima·ble adjective
• re·claimer noun
• nonre·claima·ble adjective
• unre·claima·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reclaim¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English recla(i)men, from Old French reclamer (tonic stem reclaim- ), from Latin reclāmāre “to cry out against,” equivalent to re- + clāmāre “to claim”; (noun) Middle English reclaim(e), from Old French reclaim, reclam, derivative of reclamer ; re-, claim

Word History and Origins

Origin of reclaim¹

C13: from Old French réclamer , from Latin reclāmāre to cry out, protest, from re- + clāmāre to shout

Synonym Study

See recover.

Example Sentences

It suggests we’re entering an era of climate nationalism, where the right could be poised to reclaim climate change as an issue of its own.

From Salon

“This Republican team is united. We are on one team. We are excited to reclaim the majority and to get to work with our colleagues in the House to enact President Trump’s agenda,” Thune said during his victory speech on Wednesday.

From Salon

Fiona Ryalls, 33, from Bristol tracked down her stolen bike for sale on social media while Josh Steven, 29, used a tracking device and was threatened when he tried to reclaim his.

From BBC

In describing the process of how antebellum African Americans “cheated” the conditions of forced separation, general humiliation and racial domination that constituted social death, I also reclaim the term “bootstrapping,” which, in its pejorative use today, displaces collective responsibility for social change onto minority communities.

From Salon

With certain GOP backing, Trump will reclaim a presidency recently empowered by the Supreme Court's decision to grant him immunity for official acts, in effect giving him a blank check to justify any illegal conduct under the guise of carrying out his duties.

From Salon

Related Words

• recover
• refurbish
• repair
• salvage
• save