re ‧ gain /rɪˈɡeɪn/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . to get something back, especially an ability or quality, that you have lost SYN recover :
The family never quite regained its former influence.
He somehow managed to regain his balance.
Government forces have regained control of the city.
When she regained consciousness (=woke up after being unconscious) , she was lying on the floor.
He looked stunned, but he soon regained his composure (=became calm again) .
The doctors don’t know if he will ever regain the use of his legs.
2 . literary to reach a place again
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COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ regain control
The authorities failed to regain control of the situation.
▪ regain power
The central issue facing the Labour Party is how to regain power.
▪ regain consciousness (=be able to see, move, and understand what is happening around you again)
He died three days later without regaining consciousness.
▪ regain your balance (=become steady again, so that you do not fall over)
She staggered a little before regaining her balance.
▪ regain your composure (=become calm again)
He paused for a few moments to regain his composure.
▪ regain your strength/health
First he must rest and regain his strength.
▪ regain your confidence
The players need help in regaining their confidence.
▪ regain the lead
Hamilton regained the lead in the drivers' championship.
▪ regain the initiative (=get back into a position in which you are controlling a situation)
In the months that followed, the government gradually regained the initiative.