Reclaim: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used in the context of taking back something that was lost or taken away, particularly in legal or ownership contexts.

• The company is planning to reclaim the land that was taken by the government.
• After the war, they worked to reclaim their lost territories.

Commonly used when a person or thing returns to a normal state after being in a bad condition, like health recovery or data recovery.

• It took him months to recover from the illness.
• Engineers are trying to recover the lost data from the crashed server.

Often used when something that had been lost, like possession, control, or a state of mind, is obtained again.

• She worked hard to regain her confidence after the accident.
• The team is trying to regain the lead in the championship.

Typically used when something is processed so that it can be used again, especially in the context of waste and environmental conservation.

• We need to recycle more to reduce waste.
• These bottles can be recycled into new products.

Used when you want to get something back that was taken or lost, often after a legal or formal process.

• She went to the lost and found to reclaim her umbrella.
• The company is working to reclaim its reputation after the scandal.

Used when you physically go and get something back or bring it back, often implying that the action is straightforward and without complications.

• He reached into the drawer to retrieve the documents.
• The dog quickly ran to retrieve the ball.

Commonly used in financial or business contexts to talk about getting back money that was spent or lost.

• The movie needs to make a lot of money to recoup its production costs.
• He managed to recoup his losses through prudent investments.

Typically used when a lender or seller takes back an item, usually because the buyer failed to make payments.

• The bank had to repossess her car after she missed several payments.
• If you don’t make your mortgage payments, the bank can repossess your house.