recourse

noun

re·​course ˈrē-ˌkȯrs How to pronounce recourse (audio)
ri-ˈkȯrs
1
a
: a turning to someone or something for help or protection
settled the matter without recourse to law
b
: a source of help or strength : resort
had no recourse left
2
: the right to demand payment from the maker or endorser of a negotiable instrument (such as a check)

Examples of recourse in a Sentence

The dispute was settled without recourse to law. a toddler quickly learns that a tantrum is a surefire recourse when a polite request for something is met with parental indifference
Recent Examples on the Web Still, there’s little recourse for those in states that have not passed such protections, which has prompted lobbying from Hollywood. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024 If McAfee rejects the new request, the defendants have no recourse and the prosecution will move forward, Timmons and Cunningham said. Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 Options exercise funding can be done through traditional recourse loans with an interest rate, or other solutions that are nonrecourse and interest-free in exchange for a portion of the equity when the company exits. Scott Chou, Fortune, 2 Feb. 2024 Little legal recourse for business interruption claims While the ship’s collision with the bridge is likely to interrupt businesses in the area, Davies notes that purely economic losses are not recoverable from the ship’s owners in a maritime tort claim. Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024 The severity of Duke's burns left the family no other recourse but to euthanize him, Gillum said. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 The law also gives the EU recourse to the nuclear option of forcing tech companies to sell off parts of their business. Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 In 2022, his bailiffs had posted approximately 9,350 writs of restitution, or red tags, which effectively indicated to evictees that no legal recourse remained. Mya Frazier, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 Many consumers might glance over these labels, but there can be real consequences to having a deepfake of someone stored on servers in countries such as China, Russia, or Belarus where there is no real recourse for victims of deepfake abuse. Alexandru Voica, Fortune, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recourse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English recours, from Anglo-French recurs, from Late Latin recursus, from Latin, act of running back, from recurrere to run back — more at recur

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of recourse was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near recourse

Cite this Entry

“Recourse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recourse. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

recourse

noun
re·​course ˈrē-ˌkō(ə)rs How to pronounce recourse (audio)
-ˌkȯ(ə)rs;
ri-ˈkō(ə)rs,
-ˈkȯ(ə)rs
1
: a turning for assistance or protection
have recourse to the law
2
: a source of help or strength : resort

Legal Definition

recourse

noun
1
a
: the act of turning to someone or something for assistance especially in obtaining redress
b
: a means to a desired end especially in the nature of a remedy or justice
also : the end itself
2
: the right or ability to demand payment or compensation
specifically : the right to demand payment from the endorser or drawer of a negotiable instrument see also recourse note at note compare non-recourse

Note: Under Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code, the phrase without recourse on a negotiable instrument limits the liability of the endorser or drawer. If an endorsement states that it is made without recourse, the endorser is not liable to pay, subject to various conditions, if the instrument is dishonored. Similarly, if a draft states that it is drawn without recourse, the drawer is not liable to pay, subject to various conditions, if the draft is dishonored, provided that it is not a check.

More from Merriam-Webster on recourse

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