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redeem

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Redeem is defined as to buy or get something back, pay off a loan, exchange one thing for another or convert into cash.

(verb)

An example of redeem is someone paying a pawn shop to get their watch back.
An example of redeem is paying off a car loan.
An example of redeem is turning in chips at a casino for money.

See redeem in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to buy back
to get back; recover, as by paying a fee
to pay off (a mortgage or note)
☆
1. to convert (paper money) into gold or silver coin or bullion
2. to convert (stocks, bonds, etc.) into cash
3. to turn in (trading stamps or coupons) for a prize, premium, discount, etc.
1. to set free by paying a ransom
2. to deliver from sin and its penalties, as by a sacrifice made for the sinner
to fulfill (a promise or pledge)
1. to make amends or atone for: to redeem a blunder
2. to restore (oneself) to favor by making amends
3. to make worthwhile; justify

Origin: LME redemen < MFr redimer < L redimere < re(d)-, back + emere, to get, buy < IE base *em-, to take > Lith imù, OSlav imǫ, to take

Related Forms:

redeemable adjective or redemptible
redeemer noun

See redeem in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb re·deemed, re·deem·ing, re·deems

To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum.
To pay off (a promissory note, for example).
To turn in (coupons, for example) and receive something in exchange.
To fulfill (a pledge, for example).
To convert into cash: redeem stocks.
To set free; rescue or ransom.
To save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences. See Synonyms at save¹.
To make up for: The low price of the clothes dryer redeems its lack of special features.
To restore the honor, worth, or reputation of: You botched the last job but can redeem yourself on this one.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English redemen

Origin: , from Old French redimer

Origin: , from Latin redimere

Origin: : re-, red-, re-

Origin: + emere, to buy; see em- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: