recovery

[ ri-kuhv-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural re·cov·er·ies.

1. an act of recovering.
2. the regaining of or possibility of regaining something lost or taken away.
3. restoration or return to health from sickness.
4. restoration or return to any former and better state or condition.
5. time required for recovering.
6. something that is gained in recovering.
7. an improvement in the economy marking the end of a recession or decline.
8. the regaining of substances in usable form, as from refuse material or waste products.
9. Law. the obtaining of right to something by verdict or judgment of a court of law.
10. Football. an act or instance of recovering a fumble.
11. Fencing. the movement to the position of guard after a lunge.
12. Rowing. a return to a former position for making the next stroke.

recovery

/ rɪˈkʌvərɪ /

noun

1. the act or process of recovering, esp from sickness, a shock, or a setback; recuperation
2. restoration to a former or better condition
3. the regaining of something lost
4. the extraction of useful substances from waste
5. the recovery of a space capsule after a space flight
6. law
   1. the obtaining of a right, etc, by the judgment of a court
   2. (in the US) the final judgment or verdict in a case
7. fencing a return to the position of guard after making an attack
8. swimming rowing the action of bringing the arm, oar, etc, forward for another stroke
9. golf a stroke played from the rough or a bunker to the fairway or green

Word History and Origins

Origin of recovery¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Anglo-French word recoverie. See recover, -y ³

Example Sentences

"This offers some hope that the recovery after a heart incident can somehow be boosted," says Olaf Bergmann.

From Science Daily

He ended the season needing to check a few more boxes in his recovery from elbow surgery, including facing hitters again in live batting practice sessions.

From Los Angeles Times

In a USA Today interview, an eating disorder expert, Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar at the Eating Recovery Center explained, "These comments about how your body is acceptable or unacceptable, it reinforces again that you are not worth more than your body and that you have to present yourself a certain way for the world to find you acceptable."

From Salon

Scientists are hoping their birth will help in the recovery of this endangered species.

From NewsForKids.net

All the children made a rapid recovery after their mothers were arrested.

From BBC

Related Words

• comeback
• healing
• improvement
• recuperation
• rehabilitation
• renewal
• resurgence
• revival