recycle

1 of 2

verb

re·​cy·​cle (ˌ)rē-ˈsī-kəl 

recycled; recycling; recycles

transitive verb

1

: to pass again through a series of changes or treatments: such as

a

: to process (something, such as liquid body waste, glass, or cans) in order to regain material for human use

b

: recover sense 6

c

: to reuse or make (a substance) available for reuse for biological activities through natural processes of biochemical degradation or modification

green plants recycling the residue of forest fires

recycle ADP back to ATP

2

: to adapt to a new use : alter

3

: to bring back : reuse

recycles a number of good anecdotes

—Larry McMurtry

4

: to make ready for reuse

a plan to recycle vacant tenements

5

: to reuse (money) by investing especially in an area or enterprise that will allow the investment to return as new profits

recycle petrodollars

intransitive verb

1

: to return to an earlier point in a countdown

2

: to return to an original condition so that operation can begin again

—used of an electronic device

3

: to process materials or substances (such as liquid body waste, glass, or cans) in order to regain material for human use

As a rule, Welch does not recycle. Its roadsides are littered with paper bags from the town's half-dozen fast-food outlets.

recyclability

ri-ˌsī-k(ə-)lə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

recyclable

ri-ˈsī-k(ə-)lə-bəl 

adjective or noun

recycler

ri-ˈsī-k(ə-)lər 

noun

recycle

2 of 2

noun

: the process of recycling

Synonyms

Verb

• reclaim
• recover

Examples of recycle in a Sentence

Verb

They're studying various ways to recycle garbage into fuel.

The doormat is made from recycled tires.

Town residents are required to recycle cans and bottles.

We make efforts to recycle.

The author recycles a familiar story in her latest novel.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Mineral deposits that are not up to Jacobsen’s salt standards are recycled to play a role in different stages of the salt-making process. —Esha Chhabra, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

How To: To ensure your foil gets recycled, be sure to clean off any food residue before placing into the recycling bin. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2024

Noun

Other issues under consideration include setting design standards to ensure plastic is safe to reuse and recycle, requiring companies to use some recycled material in their plastic products and raising money to help pay for waste management infrastructure, especially in developing countries. —Michael Copley, NPR, 25 Nov. 2024

Either recycle empty boxes or give them to a friend who’s in the process of moving. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1925, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

recycle

verb

re·​cy·​cle

(ˈ)rē-ˈsī-kəl

: to process (as liquid body waste, glass, or cans) in order to regain materials for human use