recover

1 of 2

verb (1)

re·​cov·​er ri-ˈkə-vər How to pronounce recover (audio)
recovered; recovering ri-ˈkə-və-riŋ How to pronounce recover (audio)
-ˈkəv-riŋ

transitive verb

1
: to get back : regain
2
a
: to bring back to normal position or condition
stumbled, then recovered himself
b
archaic : rescue
3
a
: to make up for
recover increased costs through higher prices
b
: to gain by legal process
4
archaic : reach
5
: to find or identify again
recover a comet
6
a
: to obtain from an ore, a waste product, or a by-product
b
: to save from loss and restore to usefulness : reclaim

intransitive verb

1
: to regain a normal position or condition (as of health)
recovering from a cold
2
: to obtain a final legal judgment in one's favor
recoverability noun
recoverable adjective
recoverer noun

re-cover

2 of 2

verb (2)

re-cov·​er (ˌ)rē-ˈkə-vər How to pronounce re-cover (audio)
re-covered; re-covering; re-covers

transitive verb

: to cover again or anew

Examples of recover in a Sentence

Verb (1) She had a heart attack but is recovering well. Share prices will be down until the economy recovers. She recovered consciousness in the hospital. I slipped, but somehow recovered my balance. He suffered a stroke and hasn't yet recovered the use of his left arm. The police recovered his stolen wallet. The program helps users recover computer files that have been deleted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Milstein added that gray whales were hunted to near extinction during the whaling era, but with the protections of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, the animals have recovered to the point where they were removed from endangered species protection in 1994. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 The man's gun was the only item recovered as evidence. Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2024 The veteran center back pairing of Emily Menges and Kayla Sharples were lockdown defenders for 90 minutes, holding an organized back line that never got beat through the middle and routinely recovered to disrupt fastbreak opportunities. Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024 Symptoms are typically mild and children usually can recover on their own at home. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 My hope is that the American Right, broadly speaking, will recover a decent understanding of strength — and of patriotism and other things. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 18 Mar. 2024 International relief efforts sought to help Haiti recover, but were criticized as slow and ineffective. Bryan Pietsch, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 After her death, MassHealth sought to recover $292,000 for the cost of home care and the program premiums. Paula Span, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Flint City Police officers recovered the body of Christina Elizabeth Barber, 48, near the Flint River in Michigan on March 4, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said at a press conference. Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024
Verb
Microwave on high 2 for minutes, then turn over the bacon; re-cover with the paper towels. Nancy Baggett, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Remove salmon from the refrigerator and turn pieces so all sides are immersed in the rub; re-cover and place container back in the refrigerator for at least 14 hours or up to 3 days. Kimberly Winter Stern, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024 Stir and cook some more: Stir everything together really well, then re-cover the slow cooker, and cook on LOW for another 4 hours, or until the apples are extremely soft. Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2023 Broken legs were replaced by bricks or buckets and seats re-covered with fabric and string. Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2023 Martin also re-covered the walls of such Milan Fashion Week meccas as Apophis Club, Vasiliki Kouzina, and Trattoria Torre di Pisa. Ingrid Abramovitch, ELLE Decor, 19 Apr. 2023 Most designers would insist on re-covering the piece entirely, but Ridder isn’t interested in perfection. Robert Rufino, ELLE Decor, 27 Mar. 2023 Two armchairs the client already owned were re-covered by South Harlow Interiors in Arctic Oyster linen fabric by Otis Textiles. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2023 For an easy update, re-cover your furniture with a new fabric and trim. Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 10 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recover.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French recoverer, from Latin recuperare, from re- + *caperare, from Latin capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recover was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near recover

Cite this Entry

“Recover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recover. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

recover

1 of 2 verb
re·​cov·​er ri-ˈkəv-ər How to pronounce recover (audio)
recovered; recovering -ˈkəv-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce recover (audio)
1
: regain sense 1
recover a lost wallet
recovered my breath
2
: to regain or bring back to normal health, self-confidence, or position
stumbled, then recovered myself
recovered from the flu
3
: to make up for
recover lost time
4
: to obtain something useful by separating it from a source (as ore or waste) : reclaim
recover gold from gravel
recoverable adjective

re-cover

2 of 2 verb
re-cov·​er
(ˈ)rē-ˈkəv-ər
: to cover again

Medical Definition

recover

intransitive verb
re·​cov·​er ri-ˈkəv-ər How to pronounce recover (audio)
recovered; recovering -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce recover (audio)
: to regain a normal position or condition (as of health)
recovering from the effects of a cold

Legal Definition

recover

transitive verb
re·​cov·​er ri-ˈkə-vər How to pronounce recover (audio)
1
: to get back or get back an equivalent for
recover costs through higher prices
2
a
: to obtain or get back (as damages, satisfaction for a debt, or property) through a judgment or decree
recover damages in a tort action
b
: to obtain (a judgment) in one's favor

intransitive verb

1
: to get something back
2
: to obtain damages or something else through a judgment
argued that the plaintiff should not be permitted to recover

More from Merriam-Webster on recover

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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