Phrase guide

lay claim

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To state that something belongs to oneself.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, usually, with-to

Examples

  • Spencer University lays claim to the recently published discovery.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stake a claim

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

demand as being one's due or property; assert one's right or title to

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He claimed his suitcases at the airline counter
  • Mr. Smith claims special tax exemptions because he is a foreign resident

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: claim, arrogate

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: request, bespeak, call for, quest

Narrower terms: pretend, requisition, arrogate, assign

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 要求承認 — say that something belongs to oneself
  • Chinese Mandarin: 要求承认 (yāoqiú chéngrèn) — say that something belongs to oneself
  • Chinese Mandarin: 請求權利 — say that something belongs to oneself
  • Chinese Mandarin: 请求权利 (qǐngqiú quánlì) — say that something belongs to oneself
  • Finnish: vaatia itselleen — say that something belongs to oneself
  • Finnish: vaatia — say that something belongs to oneself
  • French: revendiquer — say that something belongs to oneself
  • Georgian: მიკუთვნება (miḳutvneba) — say that something belongs to oneself
  • German: Anspruch erheben — say that something belongs to oneself
  • Hebrew: קבע בעלות (kavá ba'alút) — say that something belongs to oneself
  • Polish: rościć sobie — say that something belongs to oneself
  • Swedish: göra anspråk — say that something belongs to oneself