Added 7 October 2026
claim
/kleɪm/ noun
In Latin: postulō Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about claim at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
verb
-
Assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing.
He claimed that he killed the burglar
-
Demand as being one's due or property; assert one's right or title to.
He claimed his suitcases at the airline counter
-
Ask for legally or make a legal claim to, as of debts, for example.
They claimed on the maximum allowable amount
Origin
From Middle English claimen, borrowed from Old French clamer (“to call, name, send for”), from Latin clāmō, clāmāre (“to call, cry out”), from Proto-Indo-European *kelh₁- (“to shout”), which is imitative. See also Lithuanian kalba (“language”), Old English hlōwan (“to low, make a noise like a cow”), Old High German halan (“to call”), Ancient Greek καλέω (kaléō, “to call, convoke”), κλέδον (klédon, “report, fame”), κέλαδος (kélados, “noise”), Middle Irish cailech (“cock”), Latin calō (“to call out, announce solemnly”), Sanskrit उषःकल (uṣaḥkala, “cock”, literally “dawn-calling”). Cognate with Spanish llamar and clamar.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)