reckoning

noun

reck·​on·​ing ˈre-kə-niŋ 

ˈrek-niŋ

1

: the act or an instance of reckoning: such as

a

: account, bill

b

: computation

c

: calculation of a ship's position

2

: a settling of accounts

day of reckoning

3

: a summing up

Synonyms

• appraisal
• appraisement
• assessment
• estimate
• estimation
• evaluation
• valuation

Examples of reckoning in a Sentence

I was more than $10 off in my reckoning.

When the day of reckoning comes, we will have to face some unpleasant truths.

Our football team hardly comes into the reckoning.

Because of his injury, he is out of the reckoning.

The team is still in the reckoning.

Recent Examples on the Web

Whether or not Kennedy is confirmed, S2G’s Krishnan said the U.S. is heading toward a fiscal reckoning on health-care spending, and food programs can play a pivotal role by reducing preventable disease. —Bertha Coombs, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025

Its origins lie in one of the country’s most pivotal reckonings: The effort to redress the legal and moral horrors of chattel slavery. —Paola Mendoza, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025

North Carolina’s bad week — and potential reckoning If the NCAA Tournament started today, North Carolina would be in. —Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

The digital ecosystem faces a profound reckoning as the boundaries between authentic and fabricated content blur. —Jason Snyder, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reckoning

• by someone's reckoning
• dead reckoning
• hour of reckoning

Kids Definition

reckoning

noun

reck·​on·​ing

1

: the act or an instance of calculating

2

: a settling of accounts

day of reckoning