First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1claim
verb \ˈklām\
: to say that (something) is true when some people may say it is not true
: to say that you have (something)
: to say that (something) belongs to you or that you deserve (something)
Full Definition of CLAIM
transitive verb
1
2
: to take as the rightful owner
3
a : to assert in the face of possible contradiction : maintain <claimed that he'd been cheated> b : to claim to have <organization … which claims 11,000 … members — Rolling Stone> c : to assert to be rightfully one's own <claimed responsibility for the attack>
— claim·able \ˈklā-mə-bəl\ adjective
See claim defined for English-language learners
See claim defined for kids
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Origin of CLAIM
Middle English, from Anglo-French claimer, clamer, from Latin clamare to cry out, shout; akin to Latin calare to call — more at low
Related to CLAIM
Synonym Discussion of CLAIM
demand, claim, require, exact mean to ask or call for something as due or as necessary. demand implies peremptoriness and insistence and often the right to make requests that are to be regarded as commands <demanded payment of the debt>. claim implies a demand for the delivery or concession of something due as one's own or one's right <claimed the right to manage his own affairs>. require suggests the imperativeness that arises from inner necessity, compulsion of law or regulation, or the exigencies of the situation <the patient requires constant attention>. exact implies not only demanding but getting what one demands <exacts absolute loyalty>.
2claim
noun
: a statement saying that something happened a certain way or will happen a certain way : a statement saying that something is true when some people may say it is not true
: an official request for something (such as money) that is owed to you or that you believe is owed to you
: a right to have something
Full Definition of CLAIM
1
: a demand for something due or believed to be due <an insurance claim>
2
a : a right to something; specifically : a title to a debt, privilege, or other thing in the possession of another b : an assertion open to challenge <a claim of authenticity>
3
: something that is claimed; especially : a tract of land staked out
See claim defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CLAIM
14th century
CLAIM Defined for Kids
1claim
verb \ˈklām\
claimedclaim·ing
Definition of CLAIM for Kids
1
: to ask for as something that is a right or is deserved <claim an inheritance> <Be sure to claim credit for your idea.>
2
: to take as the rightful owner <I claimed my luggage at the airport.>
3
: to state as a fact : insist to be true <“But our friend the Woggle-Bug claims to be highly educated …” — L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz>
4
: to cause the end or death of <The disease claimed many lives.>
2claim
noun
Definition of CLAIM for Kids
1
: a demand for something owed or believed to be owed <an insurance claim>
2
: a right to something <He has a claim to the family fortune.>
3
: something (as an area of land) claimed as someone's own <a prospector's claim>
4
: a statement that others may dispute <Do you believe his outrageous claims?>
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