ENGLISH
REFERENCE

reclaim

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɹiˈkɫeɪm// UK //ɹɪklˈeɪm// re·claim Archaic

v. to take back something that was yours or to get something back after it was lost or taken away. You can also use it when you turn waste or wild land into something useful again.

v. to retrieve or recover possession of something previously lost, given away, or taken; also refers to the process of making land or materials suitable for reuse. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

You can reclaim your lost luggage at the airport.

CONTEXTUAL

The city plans to reclaim the abandoned industrial site and turn it into a public park for the community.

COMPLEX

Environmentalists argue that we must reclaim traditional farming techniques to restore soil health, while simultaneously reclaiming urban spaces from car-centric infrastructure to improve the overall quality of life.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English reclaymen, recleymen, reclamen, from Anglo-Norman reclamer (noun reclaim and Middle French reclamer (noun reclaim), from Latin reclāmō, reclāmāre. Equivalent to re- + claim.

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

Idioms1 entry

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