reclaimed; reclaiming; reclaims
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
Synonyms
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 optimism that Ukraine could reclaim more of its occupied territories, its counteroffensive in the summer of 2023 failed to significantly pierce Russia’s defenses.
—
Christian Edwards, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024
But sometime next year, if all goes as planned, the U.S. will reclaim global leadership when Intel starts producing in volume a next-generation chip in the U.S.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
These months, usually between September and April, are when the locals reclaim the corners of their country, and move more easily in their daily rhythms.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2024
Claudia Ortiz, a congresswoman from the centrist Vamos Party, and one of the principal opposition figures to Bukele, is unsure how the country can reclaim its democracy.
—Danielle MacKey, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
House of Marley products are constructed with renewable bamboo and REWIND fabric made from 30% reclaimed organic cotton, 30% reclaimed hemp and 40% recycled PET.
—K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
Now, Beyoncé is reclaiming her power as a Black woman in country and platforming Martell alongside her.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024
Atelier Saucier Marfa Stripe Napkin Set $84 Atelier Saucier
Creating table decor way too pretty to keep for parties, best friends Nikki Reed and Staci Inspektor source reclaimed fabrics for placemats, tea towels, and runners, which are locally made in LA.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
Sightings of the mythical Nain Rouge, a red hobgoblin or dwarf that appears on the eve of tragedy, date to Detroit's origin — and locals have reclaimed the spirit with an annual march to scare the demon away, according to tradition.
—Detroit Free Press, 24 Mar. 2024
Christian Edwards, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024
But sometime next year, if all goes as planned, the U.S. will reclaim global leadership when Intel starts producing in volume a next-generation chip in the U.S.
—Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024
These months, usually between September and April, are when the locals reclaim the corners of their country, and move more easily in their daily rhythms.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2024
Claudia Ortiz, a congresswoman from the centrist Vamos Party, and one of the principal opposition figures to Bukele, is unsure how the country can reclaim its democracy.
—Danielle MacKey, The New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2024
House of Marley products are constructed with renewable bamboo and REWIND fabric made from 30% reclaimed organic cotton, 30% reclaimed hemp and 40% recycled PET.
—K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
Now, Beyoncé is reclaiming her power as a Black woman in country and platforming Martell alongside her.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024
Atelier Saucier Marfa Stripe Napkin Set $84 Atelier Saucier
Creating table decor way too pretty to keep for parties, best friends Nikki Reed and Staci Inspektor source reclaimed fabrics for placemats, tea towels, and runners, which are locally made in LA.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
Sightings of the mythical Nain Rouge, a red hobgoblin or dwarf that appears on the eve of tragedy, date to Detroit's origin — and locals have reclaimed the spirit with an annual march to scare the demon away, according to tradition.
—Detroit Free Press, 24 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reclaim.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near reclaim
Cite this Entry
“Reclaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclaim. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
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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
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
More from Merriam-Webster on reclaim
Nglish: Translation of reclaim for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of reclaim for Arabic Speakers
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