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

But even after resigning from the House, Gaetz may still have legal pathways to reclaim his old perch.

From Salon

Some in Washington on Thursday wondered, too, if Gaetz might try to reclaim his seat in the House, to which he had just won reelection.

From Los Angeles Times

She finally reclaimed her daughter from the orphanage as early as she could, around the time that Cher was able to walk.

From Salon

While the Israeli government might suggest that this is nature reclaiming old habitat, much of this process is unnatural and predates the ongoing war in Gaza.

From Salon

But Moscow is now clearly intent on reclaiming the territory lost on its own soil.

From BBC

Related Words

• recover
• refurbish
• repair
• salvage
• save