reclamation

noun

Etymology: Borrowed from Middle French réclamation, from Latin reclamatio. Equivalent to reclaim + -ation.

1. The act of reclaiming or the state of being reclaimed.

   “Ignoring international law, the Chinese have claimed sovereignty over most of the South China Sea and are embarked upon a massive land reclamation and construction program to bolster these claims.”

   “From there, the material will be transported by rail to three sites across the country, to be used for land reclamation.”

2. The recovery of a wasteland, or of flooded land so it can be cultivated.