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

John Kent, who has been the leader of the council since Labour resumed control in May 2024, said "we have a duty to consider all lines of recovery".

From BBC

Volunteers from the Canary Islands and other parts of Spain had joined recovery specialists from Mexico, who normally work in the aftermath of earthquakes.

From BBC

Last month, government-owned Northern dropped all action against engineering graduate Sam Williamson, who was reported to the operator's prosecutions and debt recovery department for using his 16-25 railcard for travel on a service to Manchester.

From BBC

Had their minds been broken or was there hope for their recovery?

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re going into the recovery stage,” Gardner said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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