reclamation
rek-luh-MAY-shun
/ˌrɛkləˈmeɪʃən/
The process of claiming something back or of reasserting a right to something; specifically, the process of making waste land or water usable again.
In water management, it specifically refers to treating wastewater so it can be reused.
The story behind the word. Literally 'to call back.' In the Middle Ages, it referred to calling back a hawk in falconry. Later, it evolved to mean 'calling back' land from the sea or water from waste.
Word relationships
- recovery: Recovery is more general; reclamation implies a systematic, industrial effort.
- restoration: Restoration implies bringing something back to its original state; reclamation often implies making it useful for humans.
Commonly confused with
- recycling: Recycling is the broad term for reusing materials; reclamation is the specific term for land or water.
Word family
- reclaim (verb): To make usable again.
- reclaimable (adjective): Able to be reclaimed.
Collocations
- water reclamation
- land reclamation
- reclamation project
Example sentences
- "Water reclamation projects in Singapore allow the city-state to recycle nearly all of its sewage." Urban planning
- "The reclamation of strip-mined land is required by federal law." Environmental policy
Memory hook
Re-Claim: You are 'claiming' the water 'again' after it has been used. Taking it back from waste.
When not to use
Don't use for just 'finding' something; it must involve a process of improvement or restoration.
Fun facts
- The Netherlands is famous for land reclamation, having 'reclaimed' much of its territory from the North Sea using dikes and pumps.
Related words
Explore more words
remediation, remediate, rehabilitation, restore, rehabilitate, reintegration
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.