regain

verb

re·​gain ri-ˈgān How to pronounce regain (audio)
regained; regaining

transitive verb

1
: to gain (something) anew : to get (something) again : recover
She regained her health/strength.
I regained my footing/balance.
struggling to regain his composure
pulled ahead to regain the lead
Some of them regained the weight they had lost.
… was still alive and slowly regaining consciousness.Walter Isaacson
… managed to regain control of the airplane and execute a successful landing …Peter Katz
2
: to get back to (something) : to reach (something) again
After a prolonged struggle to regain the ridge, during which the only assistance my partners could offer was a tight rope, I crawled back along the path I had so recently chiseled …Jeff Lowe
… one of them was unhorsed and then, when out of view, regained his saddle.Daniel J. Boorstin

Examples of regain in a Sentence

our team regained the ball with just two minutes left on the clock
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.
To regain relevance, speakers powered by AI will become more attuned to what customers might ask a smart system. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 Navy, though, delivered a big blow with a 52-yard touchdown catch and run by running back Eli Heidenreich to regain a 21-10 lead late in the third. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 15 Dec. 2024 Where Else in the Middle East Will Antony Blinken Travel? Following Assad's removal, the United States is particularly concerned about the power vacuum that may arise, potentially heightening regional tensions and providing an opportunity for ISIS to regain influence. Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024 Eventually, Assad’s forces, backed by Iran, Russia and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, succeeded in regaining control of much of Syria. Ivan Watson, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for regain 

Word History

First Known Use

1569, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of regain was in 1569

Dictionary Entries Near regain

Cite this Entry

“Regain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regain. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

regain

verb
re·​gain
ri-ˈgān
1
: to gain or get again
regained my health
2
: to get back to : reach again
regain the shore

More from Merriam-Webster on regain

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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