re·cov·er
ri-ˈkə-vər 
recovered; recovering
ri-ˈkə-və-riŋ
-ˈkəv-riŋ
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
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
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
JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
The missing jewels have not yet been recovered.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
Stir and re-cover; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender, 15 to 18 minutes.
—Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recover
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Verb
Others have turned toward the distant past to understand what has been lost and assess what can be recovered.
—JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
The missing jewels have not yet been recovered.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
The plan called for mining to last a decade — although the owner could have applied for an extension — and affected areas were to be re-covered with vegetation.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
Stir and re-cover; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender, 15 to 18 minutes.
—Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recover
Cite this Entry
“Recover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recover. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
recover
1 of 2 verb
re·cov·er
ri-ˈkəv-ər
recovered; recovering
-ˈkəv-(ə-)riŋ
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
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
recovered; recovering
-(ə-)riŋ
: 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
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
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
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