reclamation

American  

[rek-luh-mey-shuhn] / ˌrɛk ləˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the reclaiming of desert, marshy, or submerged areas or other wasteland for cultivation or other use.

2. the act or process of reclaiming.

3. the state of being reclaimed.

4. the process or industry of deriving usable materials from waste, by-products, etc.

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reclamation British  

/ ˌrɛkləˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the conversion of desert, marsh, or other waste land into land suitable for cultivation

2. the recovery of useful substances from waste products

3. the act of reclaiming or state of being reclaimed

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Other Word Forms

• nonreclamation noun

Etymology

Origin of reclamation

1525–35, in sense “a protest”; < Middle French < Latin reclāmātiōn- (stem of reclāmātiō ) crying out against, equivalent to reclāmāt ( us ) (past participle of reclāmāre; see reclaim) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Reclamation is the act of returning something to a former, better state. Land reclamation might involve razing a strip mall and planting crops. Reclamation is the noun form of the verb to reclaim. Most people involved in reclamation want to reclaim something out of a sense of moral or environmental duty. Since re- means "again," it makes sense that a reclamation involves restoring something to its former glory, especially something that has gone to the dogs. Anything that's fallen on hard times is a good candidate for reclamation.

Example Sentences

McKechnie - who once said he treats "broken-down athletes who are almost like reclamation projects" - had discovered Hargreaves' knee issues were caused by pelvic instability and therefore got him working to strengthen his core.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

The visual language recalls a simpler time — a reclamation of an innocence lost.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

And once that happens, he will stand as a prime reclamation project for any team that believes he can still deliver on his potential.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Hulshof said the regime change may “at least conceptually enhance ConocoPhillips’ position to benefit from either reclamation of assets or ease of payments.”

From Barron's • Jan. 5, 2026

At that point, the Transit Authority hired William Bratton to head the transit police, and the second stage of the reclamation of the subway system began.

From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell