/ kleɪm; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
SAY STH IS TRUE
1.
to say that sth is true although it has not been proved and other people may not believe it :
[ v ( that )]
He claims (that) he was not given a fair hearing.
[ v to inf ]
I don't claim to be an expert.
[ vn ]
Scientists are claiming a major breakthrough in the fight against cancer.
[ vn that ]
It was claimed that some doctors were working 80 hours a week.
[also v speech , vn to inf ]
DEMAND LEGAL RIGHT
2.
[ vn ] to demand or ask for sth because you believe it is your legal right to own or to have it :
A lot of lost property is never claimed.
He claimed political asylum.
MONEY
3.
to ask for money from the government or a company because you have a right to it :
[ vn ]
He's not entitled to claim unemployment benefit.
She claimed damages from the company for the injury she had suffered.
You could have claimed the cost of the hotel room from your insurance.
[ v ]
You can claim on your insurance for that coat you left on the train.
ATTENTION / THOUGHT
4.
[ vn ] to get or take sb's attention :
A most unwelcome event claimed his attention.
GAIN / WIN
5.
[ vn ] to gain, win or achieve sth :
She has finally claimed a place on the team.
CAUSE DEATH
6.
[ vn ] ( of a disaster, an accident, etc. ) to cause sb's death :
The car crash claimed three lives.
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- claim sth back
■ noun
SAYING STH IS TRUE
1.
[ C ] claim (that ... ) a statement that sth is true although it has not been proved and other people may not agree with or believe it :
The singer has denied the magazine's claim that she is leaving the band.
LEGAL RIGHT
2.
[ C , U ] claim (on / to sth) a right that sb believes they have to sth, especially property, land, etc. :
They had no claim on the land.
She has more claim to the book's success than anybody (= she deserves to be praised for it) .
FOR MONEY
3.
[ C ] claim (for sth) a request for a sum of money that you believe you have a right to, especially from a company, the government, etc. :
You can make a claim on your insurance policy.
to put in a claim for an allowance
a claim for £2 000
Make sure your claims for expenses are submitted by the end of the month.
a three per cent pay claim
Complete a claim form (= an official document which you must use in order to request money from an organization) .
•
IDIOMS
- claim to fame
- have a claim on sb
- lay claim to sth
- make no claim
—more at stake verb
••
SYNONYMS
claim
allegation ♦ assertion ♦ contention
These are all words for a statement that sth is true, although it has not been proved.
claim
a statement that sth is true, although it has not been proved.
allegation
( rather formal ) a public statement that is made without giving proof, accusing sb of doing sth that is wrong or illegal.
assertion
( rather formal ) a statement of sth that you strongly believe to be true, although it has not been proved.
claim or assertion?
When the point in doubt is a matter of opinion, not fact, use assertion : She made sweeping claims about the role of women in society. When you are talking about a matter of fact you can use either word; an assertion may be slightly stronger than a claim and it is a more formal word.
contention
( formal ) a belief or opinion that you express, especially in an argument.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
a(n) claim / allegation / assertion / contention that...
a(n) claim / allegation / assertion about / of sth
false / unfounded / conflicting claims / allegations / assertions / contentions
to make / challenge / withdraw a(n) claim / allegation / assertion / contention
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French claime (noun), clamer (verb), from Latin clamare call out.