Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Old French
Origin: clamer, from Latin clamare 'to cry out, shout'

claim

1 verb
     
claim1 S1 W1
1

truth

[transitive] to state that something is true, even though it has not been proved
claim (that)
The product claims 'to make you thin without dieting'.
claim to do/be something
No responsible therapist will claim to cure your insomnia.
I don't claim to be a feminist, but I'd like to see more women in top jobs.
claim to have done something
The girls claim to have seen the fairies.
claim responsibility/credit (for something) (=say officially that you are responsible for something that has happened)
The group claimed responsibility for the bombings.
Opposition leaders will claim victory if the turnout is lower than 50%.
claim somebody/something as something
A letter appeared in The Times claiming Fleming as the discoverer of penicillin.
2

money

[intransitive and transitive] to officially demand or receive money from an organization because you have a right to it
claim something back
He should be able to claim the price of the ticket back.
claim on British English
You can claim on the insurance if you have an accident while on holiday.
claim benefit/an allowance/damages etc
If you're still not satisfied, you may be able to claim compensation.
3

legal right

[transitive] to state that you have a right to take or have something that is legally yours:
The majority of those who claim asylum are genuine refugees.
Lost property can be claimed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
4

death

[transitive] if a war, accident etc claims lives, people die because of it - used especially in news reports:
The earthquake has so far claimed over 3000 lives.
5

attention

[transitive] if something claims your attention, you notice and consider it carefully:
The military conflict continues to claim our undivided attention.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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