claim

Claim means to take or assert ownership of something.

(verb)

An example of claim is to recover a lost jacket from the lost and found.

The definition of a claim is a demand for something which is due.

(noun)

An example of claim is a document given to the insurance company stating money is wanted for car damages.

See claim in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to demand or ask for as rightfully belonging or due to one; assert one's right to (a title, accomplishment, etc. that should be recognized): to claim a record in the high jump
to call for; require; deserve: a problem that claims attention
☆ to state as a fact or as one's belief (something that may be called into question); assert

Origin: ME claimen < OFr claimer, to call, claim < L clamare, to cry out: see clamor

noun

a demand for something rightfully or allegedly due
a right or title to something: her sole claim to fame
something claimed, as
1. a piece of land staked out by a settler or miner
2. money demanded for an insurance settlement
☆ a statement, as a fact, of something that may be called into question; assertion

Related Forms:

See claim in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb claimed, claim·ing, claims

To demand, ask for, or take as one's own or one's due: claim a reward; claim one's luggage at the airport carousel.
To take in a violent manner as if by right: a hurricane that claimed two lives.
To state to be true, especially when open to question; assert or maintain: claimed he had won the race; a candidate claiming many supporters.
To deserve or call for; require: problems that claim her attention.

noun

A demand for something as rightful or due.
A basis for demanding something; a title or right.
Something claimed in a formal or legal manner, especially a tract of public land staked out by a miner or homesteader.
a. A demand for payment in accordance with an insurance policy or other formal arrangement.
b. The sum of money demanded.
A statement of something as a fact; an assertion of truth: makes no claim to be a cure.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English claimen

Origin: , from Old French clamer, claim-

Origin: , from Latin clāmāre, to call; see kelə-² in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: