reckon

verb

reck·​on ˈre-kən How to pronounce reckon (audio)
reckoned; reckoning ˈre-kə-niŋ How to pronounce reckon (audio)
ˈrek-niŋ

transitive verb

1
a
: count
reckon the days till Christmas
b
: estimate, compute
reckon the height of a building
c
: to determine by reference to a fixed basis
the existence of the U.S. is reckoned from the Declaration of Independence
2
: to regard or think of as : consider
3
chiefly dialectal : think, suppose
I reckon I've outlived my timeEllen Glasgow

intransitive verb

1
: to settle accounts
2
: to make a calculation
3
a
: judge
b
chiefly dialectal : suppose, think
4
: to accept something as certain : place reliance
I reckon on your promise to help
Phrases
reckon with
: to take into consideration
reckon without
: to fail to consider : ignore

Examples of reckon in a Sentence

I reckon that we'll have to leave early. Do you reckon you'll be able to go to the grocery store after work? We'll have to leave early, I reckon. They reckoned that they would reach their destination by noon. Losses were reckoned to be over a million dollars.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her departure follows the announcement late last year that David M. Rubenstein, who has led the Kennedy Center board since 2010, will stay in the role until September 2026 to ensure stable leadership as the center, like other arts organizations nationwide, reckons with a second Trump presidency. News Desk, Artforum, 28 Jan. 2025 This is a city built on a revelry, but also reckoning, one that is still reeling from the recent terror attack on New Year’s Day. Jenny Adams, AFAR Media, 23 Jan. 2025 Alex and Ethan must reckon with their changing friendship and the process of coming out. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025 One is a white Englishwoman who becomes his longtime partner and must, in the run-up to the millennium, reckon with obscured parts of his life. The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for reckon 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rekenen, from Old English -recenian (as in gerecenian to narrate); akin to Old English reccan

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of reckon was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near reckon

Cite this Entry

“Reckon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reckon. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

reckon

verb
reck·​on ˈrek-ən How to pronounce reckon (audio)
reckoned; reckoning -(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce reckon (audio)
1
a
: count entry 1 sense 1a, compute
reckon the days till her birthday
b
: to estimate by calculating
reckon the height of a building
2
: consider sense 3, regard
was reckoned among the leaders
3
chiefly dialect : think sense 2, suppose
4
: to look forward to as certain : depend
reckon on support
reckoner
-(ə-)nər
noun

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