recycle

¹re·cy·cle

verb \(ˌ)rē-ˈsī-kəl\

Definition of RECYCLE

transitive verb

1

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

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

b : recover 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>

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

— re·cy·cla·bil·i·ty \-ˌsī-k(ə-)lə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— re·cy·cla·ble \-ˈsī-k(ə-)lə-bəl\ adjective or noun

— re·cy·cler \-k(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of RECYCLE

1. They're studying various ways to recycle garbage into fuel.
2. The doormat is made from recycled tires.
3. Town residents are required to recycle cans and bottles.
4. We make efforts to recycle.
5. The author recycles a familiar story in her latest novel.

First Known Use of RECYCLE

1926

Related to RECYCLE

Synonyms

reclaim, recover

Related Words

reuse; process, reprocess

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with RECYCLE

cell cycle, life cycle, song cycle, two-cycle

²recycle

noun

Definition of RECYCLE

: the process of recycling

First Known Use of RECYCLE

1926

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra