Meaning of claim In English

• 0 to say that something is true or is a fact, although you cannot prove it and other people might not believe it:

  • [ + (that) ] The company claims (that) it is not responsible for the pollution in the river.

  • [ + to infinitive ] He claims to have met the president, but I don't believe him.

  • All parties have claimed success in yesterday's elections.

  • An unknown terrorist group has claimed responsibility for this morning's bomb attack.

• 1 to ask for something of value because you think it belongs to you or because you think you have a right to it:

  • The police said that if no one claims the watch, you can keep it.

  • When King Richard III died, Henry VII claimed the English throne.

  • The number of people claiming unemployment benefits has risen sharply this month.

  • Don't forget to claim (for) your travelling expenses after the interview.

  • UK When my bike was stolen, I claimed on the insurance and got £150 back.

  • UK If the shop won't give me a replacement TV, I'll claim my money back.

• 2 a statement that something is true or is a fact, although other people might not believe it:

  • He said the police assaulted him while he was in custody, a claim that the police deny.

  • [ + that ] The government's claim that it would reduce taxes proved false.

  • Can you give any evidence to support your claim?

  • He made wild claims about being able to cure cancer.

• 3 a written request asking an organization to pay you an amount of money that you believe they owe you:

  • After her house was burgled, she made a claim on her insurance.

  • Please submit your claim for travelling expenses to the accounts department.

  • She has no rightful claim to the title.

  • Our neighbours have no claim to (= cannot say that they own) that strip of land between our houses.

  • My ex-wife has no claims on me (= has no right to any of my money).

• 4 to state that something is true or is a fact:

  • [ + (that) clause ] Ervin claims (that) he is bankrupt.

• 5 to demand something of value because you believe it belongs to you or you have a right to it:

  • If no one claims the money, I can keep it.

  • The earthquake claimed hundreds of lives.

• 6 a written request to an organization to pay you a sum of money which you believe it owes you:

  • After the storm, dozens of claims were filed to collect crop insurance.

  • They asserted their claim to citizenship.

• 7 a request to an insurance company for payment relating to an accident, illness, damage to property, etc.:

  • pay/refuse/settle a claim An insurance adjuster will work with the injured party to settle the claim.

  • file/make/submit a claim Do not submit a claim if the doctor or hospital is also filing a claim for the same service.

• 8 a request to a court, government department, or company for something such as money or property that you believe you have a legal right to:

  • a claim for sth The Court of Appeal upheld his claim for damages for wrongful dismissal.

  • bring/file a claim against sb/sth He is now bringing an unfair dismissal claim against the company.

  • a disability/unemployment/pension claim

• 9 a legal right to own something such as a property, business, or title:

  • have a claim on/to sth If you are joint owners, you have a claim on at least half the house.

  • a legitimate/rightful/valid claim

• 10 a statement of something you believe is true, although you have no proof:

  • The court rejected his claims that he was denied a promotion due to discrimination.

• 11 to state that something is true, although you may not be able to prove it:

  • Union representatives claim that workers were forced to work overtime without pay.

• 12 to officially request that an insurance company pay for costs relating to an accident, damage to property, etc.

• 13 to request payment for money you are owed by a government department or company:

  • claim benefits/tax relief/income support The self employed may claim income tax relief as an allowance in their income tax assessment.

• 14 to state that you have a legal right to own something such as a property, business, or title:

  • If there are no relatives to claim the estate, the deceased's property will be reverted to the state.

• 15 to officially request payment from someone who is responsible for an injury, loss, etc.:

  • A breach of warranty will give the purchaser the right to claim damages from the vendor.