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recapture

noun
re·​cap·​ture | \ (ˌ)rē-ˈkap-chər How to pronounce recapture (audio) \

Definition of recapture

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the act of retaking
b : an instance of being retaken
2 : the retaking of a prize or goods under international law
3 : a government seizure under law of earnings or profits beyond a fixed amount

recapture

verb
recaptured; recapturing; recaptures

Definition of recapture (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to capture again
b : to experience again by no effort of the imagination could she recapture the ecstasy— Ellen Glasgow
2 : to take (something, such as a portion of earnings or profits above a fixed amount) by law or through negotiations under law
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about recapture

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Examples of recapture in a Sentence

Noun

 the recapture of the territory may take longer than expected

Verb

 The guards recaptured the escaped prisoner. The soldiers recaptured the hill they had lost the day before. In the final lap of the race, he recaptured the lead. They are trying to recapture those happy times they had together. The documentary recaptures the social tensions of the 1960s.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Without the changes enacted this year, Alamo Heights ISD would have owed the state a recapture payment of about $42 million. — Krista Torralva, ExpressNews.com, "Alamo Heights ISD cuts payment to ‘Robin Hood’ by $7.8 million," 23 Aug. 2019 Meanwhile, said Carter, those who helped him evade recapture might face charges of their own. — Rafael Olmeda, sun-sentinel.com, "Fugitive’s final hours on lam: How murder suspect was nabbed after mistake set him free," 11 July 2019 The bill provides more money for Texas classrooms, increases teacher compensation, reduces recapture and cuts local property taxes for Texas taxpayers. — Elliott Lapin, Houston Chronicle, "Huffman ISD to address salary compensation manual at tonight’s meeting," 22 July 2019 The Broward Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed exactly how Vail’s location was discovered or whether anyone is in line to claim the $3,000 that was offered by Broward Crimestoppers for information leading to his recapture. — Rafael Olmeda, sun-sentinel.com, "Fugitive’s final hours on lam: How murder suspect was nabbed after mistake set him free," 11 July 2019 House Bill 3 will also include new property tax relief for area homeowners and a welcome reduction in district recapture payments, also called Robin Hood. — Staff Report, Houston Chronicle, "Spring Branch ISD board of trustees approves new budget and pay increases," 29 June 2019 Changes to the recapture system, which requires property-rich districts to send property tax money to the state to help fund property-poor districts, have favored Alamo Heights, Comal and Boerne ISDs. — Liz Teitz, ExpressNews.com, "School districts across San Antonio deciding teacher pay raises," 21 June 2019 The recapture of Douma, in the region of Eastern Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus, effectively represents the end of the war between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the rebel groups opposing his rule. — Washington Post, "As fears mount over open U.S.-Russia conflict, Moscow seeks to lower the temperature," 12 Apr. 2018 There was no immediate comment from Jordan on the Syrian forces’ recapture of Naseeb crossing. — Washington Post, "Syrian troops reach border crossing with Jordan," 6 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 Can healthier All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman recapture his peak form? — Eric Branch, SFChronicle.com, "49ers’ DeForest Buckner has a request: ‘Just put some respect on my name’," 4 Sep. 2019 In fact, one customer recaptured $90 million of that. — Sean Gallagher, Ars Technica, "Antonio Neri and Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s cultural revolution," 2 Sep. 2019 Armed with some of the finest talent of the day, Muñoz recaptured the league title from Barça in 1961 after going on a two-year drought (the horror) and then won it five times on the spin. — SI.com, "Miguel Muñoz: The Man Who Told Alfredo Di Stefano to F*ck Off & Led the Ye-Ye's to European Glory," 25 July 2019 The missiles were apparently discovered earlier this week when forces loyal to the Government of National Accord recaptured the strategic town of Gharyan in a surprise attack, seizing the main supply base for Haftar's Tripoli offensive. — Fox News, "French missiles found on rogue Libyan general’s base," 10 July 2019 Ideal size and recaptured some of his MVP form in a resurgent season with Timberwolves last season. — Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Looking for Detroit Pistons fits in free agency? Here are 10 names to watch," 14 June 2019 Noel Mazzone seems keen on Tate recapturing his dual-threat form. — Michael Lev, azcentral, "Khalil Tate 'comfortable,' 'healthy' as Arizona readies for 2019 season," 11 Aug. 2019 The novel is based on a true story Morrison came across while publishing The Black Book — of a runaway slave who kills her infant daughter after being recaptured by enslavers. — Time, "Toni Morrison, Seminal Author Who Stirringly Chronicled the Black American Experience, Dies at 88," 6 Aug. 2019 Manufacturing’s strong play in Connecticut contrasts with overall employment growth: As of May, the state has recaptured less than 81 percent of jobs lost in the Great Recession. — Stephen Singer, courant.com, "Economic development chief to pick ‘czar’ to streamline the state’s promotion of Connecticut’s booming manufacturers," 6 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recapture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of recapture

Noun

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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More Definitions for recapture

recapture

noun

Financial Definition of recapture

What It Is

A recapture occurs when a person or entity takes back an asset from a buyer under certain conditions.

How It Works

Taxing authorities can implement tax recaptures in which the taxing authority requires a taxpayer to pay taxes on previous years of income (usually when the taxpayer took a deduction or tax credit that the taxing authority decides was inappropriate).

Recapture clauses are common in commercial real estate. Let's say John Doe owns the ABC Shopping Center. He leases some retail space to Company XYZ. The lease says Company XYZ will pay 3% of its sales to John Doe as rent every month for a minimum of $5,000 per month. In other words, Company XYZ has to have revenues of at least $167,000 a month.

Company XYZ only does $100,000 a month. Because the lease has a recapture clause, John Doe can terminate the lease and take back the retail space from Company XYZ. This allows him to get a better-performing tenant in the space rather than having to suffer through the entire term of the lease with a tenant that doesn't generate enough income for him.

Another form of recapture is the depreciation recapture. Let's say John Doe bought a house for $100,000 and ran a business out of it, which allowed him to depreciate the house by $1,000 a year. He lived in the house for five years, thus recording $5,000 of depreciation, and then decided to sell the house and move to Tampa. He sold the house for $120,000.

Because the house is a depreciable asset to John, his profit on the sale of the house is based on the depreciated value of the house (that is, $100,000 - $5,000, or $95,000). It is not based on what he paid for the house ($100,000). So, his sale for $120,000 generates a $25,000 profit, not a $20,000 profit. In other words, John must declare a recaptured gain of $25,000.

Why It Matters

Recaptures are most common in commercial real estate transactions, but they can be in any sort of contract in which an asset exchange takes place and the buyer may want the option to buy back the asset later. And as we've shown, taxing authorities can recapture lost tax revenue when they decide that taxpayers have not been following the rules.

Source: Investing Answers

recapture

verb

English Language Learners Definition of recapture

: to catch (someone or something that has escaped)
: to gain control of (a place or position) again after losing it
: to experience or bring back (a feeling, quality, or situation) again

See the full definition for recapture in the English Language Learners Dictionary

recapture

verb

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