claim

claim1 [ kleım ] verb ***

▸ 1 say something is true

▸ 2 say something is yours

▸ 3 when something kills someone

▸ 4 need attention/time

▸ 5 win prize in sport

1. ) transitive to say that something is true, even though there is no definite proof:

claim (that): The report claimed that hundreds of civilians had crossed the border to escape the fighting.

He claims he is innocent.

claim to do something: The organization claims to represent more than 20,000 firms.

a ) to say that someone's actions are the cause of something, especially in a court of law:

She is claiming sexual harassment against her boss.

2. ) transitive to say that something is yours, especially as a right:

Henry VII claimed the English throne after defeating Richard III.

Has anyone claimed the wallet I turned in yesterday?

claim credit/responsibility/victory etc. (=say it is yours): I can't claim all the credit for our success.

a ) intransitive or transitive to officially ask for money that you believe you have a right to:

The back of the form tells you how to claim your refund.

b ) transitive to officially ask for something as a right:

She claimed political asylum in 1986.

3. ) transitive MAINLY JOURNALISM if war, disease, or an accident claims someone's life, they die as a result of it:

The severe flooding has claimed over 500 lives.

The meningitis outbreak claimed a third victim today.

4. ) transitive to need something such as your attention or time:

Several more urgent matters were claiming her attention.

5. ) transitive MAINLY JOURNALISM to win something such as a prize or a top position in a sport:

1976 was the year Borg claimed his first Wimbledon title.

claim

claim 2 [ kleım ] noun count ***

▸ 1 statement without proof

▸ 2 request for money, etc.

▸ 3 right to something

▸ 4 right to attention/love

▸ 5 piece of land

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) a statement that something is true that you have no definite proof of:

The victim's claims were ignored by the police.

claim of: claims of bullying

claim that: I don't believe his claim that he fought in Vietnam.

make a claim: Some of the early claims that were made were plainly false.

2. ) an official request for money that you believe you have a right to:

Your claim should reach us no later than January 31.

an insurance claim

claim for: a claim for Social Security benefits

a ) an official request for the right to something:

an asylum claim

claim for: a claim for the right to safe passage

3. ) a statement that you have the legal right to something:

claim to: Britain's claim to the territories was found to be unlawful.

a ) a right to something because of your efforts or achievements:

have a claim to something: Despite their second-place finish, they have a claim to be considered the best team in the league.

b ) a legal right to something:

She has no claim on her husband's estate.

c ) lay claim to something to say officially that you believe that something belongs to you

=> STAKE 2

4. ) claim on a right to someone's attention, love, etc.:

There are so many competing claims on our attention these days.

have a claim on someone/something: They had helped Franco to victory, and that gave them a claim on his gratitude.

5. ) a piece of land that was not owned before and that you say belongs to you

claim to fame OFTEN HUMOROUS

the thing that makes a person or place famous or interesting:

My claim to fame is that I once shook hands with Nelson Mandela.

make no claim to be something

to admit that you do not have a particular quality or ability:

I make no claim to be knowledgeable on the subject.