Recount
/rɪˈkaʊnt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo give a detailed account or narrative of something; to relate a sequence of events.
/rɪˈkaʊnt/
To tell or give an account of an event or experience.
She recounted her adventures in Africa.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're telling your friend about what happened yesterday. Recount means you're telling them the story again, giving all the important details, like a really detailed version of 'What happened?' For example, you might recount your trip to the zoo!
👶 For kids: To tell a story about something that happened.
More Examples
The old man recounted stories of his youth to his grandchildren.
The witness recounted the events of the robbery to the police.
How It's Used
"The historian recounted the events of the battle."
"The witness recounted the details of the crime to the police."
To count again, especially ballots.
/rɪˈkaʊnt/
To count again, typically in an election.
The election results were so close they had to recount the ballots.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, after an election, the numbers are really close. Recount means they count all the votes again to make sure everything is correct, like double-checking your math homework. It’s a way to make sure the right person wins.
👶 For kids: To count something again to make sure the number is right.
More Examples
After a discrepancy was found, the officials decided to recount the votes.
The supervisor ordered a recount of the currency.
How It's Used
"After the close election, the votes were recounted."
The act of counting something again.
/ˈriːkaʊnt/
A second or repeated count.
The recount of the ballots took several days.
💡 Simply: If you have a recount, it means someone is counting something again, like the votes in an election.
👶 For kids: When they count something again to be sure.
More Examples
There was a recount of the votes after a close election.
The recount process was very slow due to the number of ballots.
How It's Used
"The recount determined the final winner."
From Middle English *recounten*, from Old French *reconter* ('to relate, tell again'), from *re-* ('again') + *conter* ('to count, tell'), from Latin *computare* ('to calculate').
Historically, 'recount' was used to describe the telling of stories and providing an account, but over time it evolved to also include the act of counting again, especially in a political context.
Memory tip
Think of re-COUNT, like counting the story again.
Word Origin
"to count or calculate again (re- + computare)"