reclaim

verb

re·​claim ri-ˈklām 

reclaimed; reclaiming; reclaims

transitive verb

1

a

: to recall from wrong or improper conduct : reform

b

: tame, subdue

2

a

: to rescue from an undesirable state

also : to restore to a previous natural state

reclaim mining sites

b

: to make available for human use by changing natural conditions

reclaim swampland

3

: to obtain from a waste product or by-product : recover

reclaimed plastic

4

a

: to demand or obtain the return of

b

: to regain possession of

reclaimable

ri-ˈklā-mə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• get back
• re-collect
• reacquire
• recapture
• recoup
• recover
• regain
• repossess
• retake
• retrieve

Choose the Right Synonym for reclaim

rescue, deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger.

rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary.

job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence.

an operation that saved my life

Examples of reclaim in a Sentence

Sons and daughters are proudly reclaiming the traditions that their parents had forgotten.

She reclaimed the title of world champion this year.

You might be able to reclaim some of the money you contributed.

Environmental groups have been reclaiming contaminated sites.

Acres of land were reclaimed by conservationists.

The factory reclaims fibers from textile wastes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite volcanic eruptions this year, Iceland has reclaimed its position as the safest destination in the world for the first time in three years, and No. 2 Australia and No. 3 Canada have climbed in the rankings during the past several years, the report says. —Gary Stoller, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

His other works further reclaim history through white-washed portraits of Black Civil War soldiers, collages that place Black people’s faces in confrontation with slave-holding white figures, and devotional scenes that refigure Black people into Biblical text. —Robert Daniels, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

The Ducks had reclaimed the lead in similar fashion, by scoring both of the second period’s goals. Fabbri and McTavish, who factored into both goals, went to work with Fabbri initiating a battle that McTavish won, working along the wall and switching positions with Mintyukov. —Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2024

The swing state is one of the most closely watched in this election, with former President Donald Trump trying to reclaim it after losing there to President Joe Biden by a small margin four years ago. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reclamen, from Anglo-French reclamer, from Latin reclamare to cry out, protest, from re- + clamare to cry out — more at claim

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

reclaim

verb

re·​claim ri-ˈklām 

1

: to make someone better in behavior or character : reform

reclaim criminals

2

: to change to a desirable condition or state

reclaim the desert for agriculture

also : to restore to a previous natural state

reclaim mining sites

3

: to obtain from a waste product or by-product : recover

reclaimed wool

reclaimable

-ˈklā-mə-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

reclaim

transitive verb

re·​claim ˌrē-ˈklām 

1

: to make fit or available for human use

reclaiming land that had been strip-mined

2

a

: to demand the return of by right

b

: to regain possession of