1. To state something as a fact:
* "She claimed she was at home all night." This implies she asserted it, but there's no proof yet.
* "The company claims its product is the best on the market." This is a statement they make, which could be true or false.
2. To demand something as your right:
* "He claimed his inheritance from his father." This means he asserted his legal right to the money.
* "The insurance company claimed the damage was due to negligence." This means they stated that negligence was the cause of the damage, and they are likely going to use this as justification for not paying.
3. To take possession of something:
* "The government claimed the land for a new park." This means they took control of the land, possibly for public use.
* "He claimed the last piece of cake." This means he took it for himself.
4. To be responsible for something:
* "The company claimed responsibility for the oil spill." This means they accepted that they were at fault.
5. To be true:
* "The study claims that a healthy diet can prevent heart disease." This means the study suggests a link between diet and heart disease.
6. A statement asserting a right:
* "The insurance claim was denied." This means the request for compensation was rejected.
* "He filed a claim for unemployment benefits." This means he applied for unemployment benefits.
The specific meaning of "claim" will depend on the context in which it is used. Pay attention to the surrounding words and phrases to understand the intended meaning.