What does recapture mean?
Recapture means to take, secure, or regain something after it has been lost, escaped, or taken away. The word is most familiar in military descriptions, such as recapturing territory or a prisoner, but it also has broad figurative uses: a business may recapture market share, a performer may recapture attention, and a person may recapture a lost opportunity. It is more specific than capture, because it implies a second attempt or recovery rather than the initial act of taking control. In everyday speech, recapture can sound somewhat formal, but it remains common in journalism, legal contexts, economics, and discussions of competition. The related noun refers to the act or result of recapturing something.
To capture, secure, or regain someone or something after it has been lost, escaped, withdrawn, or taken away.
"The police recaptured the escaped prisoner near the harbor."
The word is formal and is common in military, legal, commercial, and figurative contexts.
The act of capturing or regaining someone or something, or a renewed seizure or recovery.
"The recapture of the town marked a major victory for the defenders."
It can refer to the process or to the result of recapturing something, such as territory, a fugitive, or lost business.
The plural is used for separate acts or instances of recapturing.
"The broadcasts were successful recaptures of attention that had drifted to other programs."
Recapture turns a loss into an opportunity: what was taken can be recovered, redirected, or given a second beginning.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does recapture come from?
Recapture was formed in English from the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and capture, meaning “to take hold of.” Capture ultimately comes from Latin capere, “to take, seize,” while the related noun capture was borrowed in the late Middle English period. The prefix re- was widely used in English from the Middle English period onward to indicate repetition or reversal. Recapture consequently means, literally, “a capturing again” or “a taking again.”
Related word forms
How recapture is actually used
The word is formal and especially common in military, legal, economic, and figurative contexts. In business and media, it often means regaining customers, attention, or a position that was previously lost.
Easily confused with recapture
Capture means to take control of someone or something, while recapture means to take control again after it has been lost, escaped, or diverted.
Reclaim can mean to recover possession or restore something to its proper use, whereas recapture more specifically suggests taking or securing something again.