reclaim

[/rɪˈkleɪm/]

verb

reclamar

1. to claim back or recover something that was lost, taken away, or previously owned

She reclaimed her luggage at the airport.

Ela reclamou sua bagagem no aeroporto.

2. to convert land (such as desert or marsh) into usable land

The government plans to reclaim the wetlands for agricultural use.

O governo planeja recuperar os pântanos para uso agrícola.

3. to salvage or recover something from waste

We can reclaim the wood from the old building.

Podemos recuperar a madeira do edifício antigo.

4. to restore someone to a better state or condition

He was reclaimed from a life of crime.

Ele foi resgatado de uma vida de crime.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

reclamar

Most common usage; can also mean 'to complain' in some contexts

São Paulo

recuperar

Often preferred when referring to recovering land or materials

Rio de Janeiro

reclamar

Standard usage, particularly in formal contexts

Portugal

recuperar

More commonly used than 'reclamar' for the sense of recovering/restoring

reclaim one's seat - retomar seu lugar

reclaim the night - recuperar a segurança nas ruas à noite

reclaim your life - retomar controle de sua vida

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