reclamation

noun

rec·​la·​ma·​tion ˌre-klə-ˈmā-shən 

: the act or process of reclaiming: such as

a

: reformation, rehabilitation

b

: restoration to use : recovery

Synonyms

• recapture
• recoupment
• recovery
• repossession
• retrieval

Examples of reclamation in a Sentence

pumped water out of the field as part of the land reclamation program designed to provide farmers with more farmland

Recent Examples on the Web

Ever since his successful emergence as a minor-league reclamation project seven years ago, power had been his trademark. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025

In this act of reclamation, Taffeta inhabits a kaleidoscope of roles — from army cadet to Mary Todd Lincoln to that all-knowing, unseen tree. —Chris Azzopardi, New York Times, 1 May 2025

What’s more, Black motorcycle culture has long been a site of both resistance and reclamation. —Amy Carleton, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2025

Some hotel historians note that the new Raffles is a return to the original property’s roots, as the first property on Beach Road began as a waterfront beach house before various land reclamation projects broke ground in the 1800s. —Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French réclamation, from Latin reclamation-, reclamatio, from reclamare

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reclamation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

reclamation

noun

rec·​la·​ma·​tion ˌrek-lə-ˈmā-shən 

: the act or process of reclaiming : the state of being reclaimed

Legal Definition

reclamation

noun

rec·​la·​ma·​tion ˌre-klə-ˈmā-shən 

1

: the act or process of reclaiming

the reclamation of goods delivered to an insolvent buyer

2

: a right to reclaim (as under commercial law)