reckoning

[ rek-uh-ning ]

noun

1. count; computation; calculation.
2. the settlement of accounts, as between two companies.
3. a statement of an amount due; bill.
4. an accounting, as for things received or done.

   Synonyms: retribution, judgment

5. an appraisal or judgment.
6. Navigation. dead reckoning.
7. day of reckoning.

reckoning

/ ˈrɛkənɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of counting or calculating
2. settlement of an account or bill
3. a bill or account
4. retribution for one's actions (esp in the phrase day of reckoning )
5. See dead reckoning
   nautical short for dead reckoning

Other Words From

• pre·reckon·ing noun
• self-reckon·ing adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reckoning¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; reckon + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Here’s everything you need to know about TikTok and moment of reckoning.

From Fortune

EVHelp keep Vox free for allMillions turn to Vox each month to understand what’s happening in the news, from the coronavirus crisis to a racial reckoning to what is, quite possibly, the most consequential presidential election of our lifetimes.

From Vox

Amid a national reckoning on race that has consumed the sports world, NBA players are poised to shape the conversation — and perhaps even influence the upcoming election.

From Axios

The coronavirus has put American democracy to the test — and by our reckoning, election officials have made big strides in a short period of time.

From FiveThirtyEight

In a world grappling with a deadly pandemic, global recession and a sudden reckoning with systemic racism, that feels like a long time ago.

From Voice of San Diego

The day of reckoning has arrived not just in Ferguson, Missouri, but also across America.

From The Daily Beast

What should have been a moment of reckoning for a selfish, serial liar instead ended with us pitying him.

From The Daily Beast

They converted what should have been a long-overdue moral reckoning into a shallow and hysterical ratings bonanza.

From The Daily Beast

Regardless of how talented or athletic or smart the people are, death seems to be the reckoning that will eventually come.

From The Daily Beast

Steinbeck, too, seemed to think that a sort of economic reckoning was close at hand when he invented the Joads in late 1938.

From The Daily Beast

Reckoning that Neptune is the outermost planet of the solar system, that system would have a diameter of 5,584 millions of miles.

From Project Gutenberg

He says that he has sins enough to his account without laying up a reckoning with posterity.

From Project Gutenberg

This year no less than seventy-six slave-ships have sailed, without reckoning the smugglers in that line.

From Project Gutenberg

Surely, 'his reckoning hits so hideous' would be a most clumsy expression.

From Project Gutenberg

With him he spent a couple more days, and then, with an effort he was never to forget, prepared himself for the reckoning.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• calculation
• estimation