recovery
Pluralrecoveries
- 1The process of returning to normal health after illness or injury.
Like a forest slowly regrowing in the years after a wildfire.
Her recovery from pneumonia surprised everyone at the clinic.
After knee surgery, his recovery took six months of physical therapy before he could run again.
UsageUsually recovery from an illness or injury; people make a full or quick recovery.
Similarrecuperation
Oppositerelapse, deterioration
- 2The process of getting back to a normal condition, or to a stronger or better one, after hardship, damage, or a setback.
Volunteers poured in to help with the region's recovery after the wildfires.
The band's recovery from its disastrous second album surprised even loyal fans.
UsageOften recovery from a setback or after a disaster; a team or business can make a recovery.
Similarcomeback, revival, rebound, turnaround
Oppositedecline, deterioration
- 3The act or process of getting back something lost, taken away, or owed, such as stolen property or unpaid debts.
The recovery of the sunken ship's cargo took divers several weeks.
Investigators focused on the recovery of data from the damaged drive.
UsageUsually the recovery of the thing regained: the recovery of stolen goods, of data.
Note
The broadest sense, and the closest to the word's origin. It comes from Middle English recoveree, from Old French recovree, a noun built on recovrer, "to recover." Here it names getting back what was lost or taken, such as cargo, data or stolen goods, and it usually takes of before the thing regained. The health meaning narrows this same idea of getting back what was gone.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Recovery derives from Middle English recoveree, from Old French recovree, from recovrer, meaning 'recover'. en.wiktionary.org
- The sense of regaining something is consistent with the word's historical origin. en.wiktionary.org
- 4A period of renewed growth in an economy following a downturn or slump.
Economists predicted a strong recovery in the second half of the year.
The housing market showed signs of recovery after years of stagnation.
UsageOften recovery from the slump left behind, or a place word in front: a UK recovery.
Similarupturn, revival, rebound, upswing, turnaround
Oppositerecession, downturn, slump, decline
Note
Economists use it for the phase after a slump, when output, employment and demand expand again. It is readily countable and is often qualified by place or by cause: "There is no UK recovery from the pandemic without a London recovery," as Andy Byford, then head of Transport for London, put it in 2022. Recovery from names what is being left behind, and a place name in front says where the growth is happening.
- 5The ongoing, long-term work of overcoming dependence on alcohol or drugs, usually by living free of them, often in the phrase "in recovery".
He now speaks at high schools about his recovery from opioid addiction.
Many people in recovery rely on weekly meetings to stay sober.
UsagePeople are in recovery, with no article, or speak of their recovery from addiction.
Similarrehabilitation
Oppositerelapse
Less common meanings
- 6A court judgment establishing someone's right to receive payment, such as damages, unpaid debts, or legal costs.
The plaintiff secured a recovery covering both the debt and legal costs.
After a two-year lawsuit, the contractor obtained a recovery against the homeowner for the unpaid balance plus interest.
UsageA plaintiff obtains, secures or wins a recovery against the other party.
Note
Lawyers use the word for a judgment that entitles the winning party to payment, and by extension for the sum that judgment awards. It may cover a debt, damages or costs, and it may have to be enforced if the debtor does not pay voluntarily.
- 7The act of returning to a starting or ready position after a movement, such as a lunge in fencing or a curtsey.
Her recovery after the lunge left no opening for a counterattack.
A sloppy recovery in the bout cost him the next point.
Note
Swordplay and sparring use the word for the second half of an attack. After a lunge or a punch, the body must return to guard, and that return is the recovery. A slow one leaves the attacker still extended and open to a counter. The same idea of coming back to a ready stance covers rising again after a curtsey.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- After a lunge, the fencer returns to guard. baf-fencing.com
- After a punch, the boxer returns to the boxing stance. afbc-boxing.com
- Recovering slowly can leave the attacker vulnerable to a return attack. coachescompendium.org
- 8The extraction of ore from a mine, or of metal from the ore that contains it.
- 9In gaming, a character's capacity to regain health or restore status after taking damage.
Practice
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Origin
The Old French verb recovrer, meaning "recover," gave recovree, which Middle English took over as recoveree.