What does reacquisition mean?
Reacquisition means the process of acquiring, learning, recovering, or regaining something after it has been lost, abandoned, or temporarily unavailable. It is often used with language, professional skills, memory, physical abilities, knowledge, and control. In education and psychology, the term may suggest that a previously developed skill or form of knowledge is being restored more quickly than it was originally learned. In legal and business contexts, it can refer to recovering property, rights, or control. The prefix “re-” indicates a repeated action, distinguishing reacquisition from a first acquisition. Although the word is formally accurate and useful in specialist writing, ordinary contexts may favour plainer expressions such as “recovery,” “regaining,” or “learning again.”
nounThe process or act of acquiring something again, especially knowledge, a skill, or possession that has been lost.
- The process of acquiring, recovering, or regaining something again.
- The restoration of a previously learned skill, piece of knowledge, or ability.
- The act of regaining possession of something.
"The programme supports the reacquisition of language skills following a long absence."
"Children showed rapid reacquisition of the language skills they had lost after prolonged illness."
"The company sought the reacquisition of control over the disputed subsidiary."
The plural is grammatically correct but comparatively uncommon in ordinary usage; it is most likely in academic, legal, or technical discussion.
"The researchers documented rapid reacquisitions of previously learned motor skills."
Reacquisition describes the second chance to learn, recover, or regain something—and it often refers to skills that seemed lost but were not entirely gone.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of reacquisition
Reacquisition was formed within English by combining the prefix “re-,” meaning “again,” with “acquisition.” “Acquisition” comes through French acquisition from Latin acquisitio, a noun derived from acquirere, meaning “to get or obtain.” The “re-” element makes the resulting word refer specifically to obtaining or restoring something a second time.
Related word forms
How reacquisition is actually used
The term is formal and is especially common in academic, educational, medical, and legal contexts. In general usage, simpler alternatives such as “recovery” or “regaining” may sound more natural.
Easily confused with reacquisition
Acquisition means the process of obtaining something for the first time, whereas reacquisition means obtaining or recovering it again.