recycle

1 of 2

verb

re·​cy·​cle (ˌ)rē-ˈsī-kəl How to pronounce recycle (audio)
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
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 anecdotesLarry 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.
recyclable adjective or noun
recycler noun

recycle

2 of 2

noun

: the process of recycling

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Jeff Beal, owner of the Cigar Vault, said the business uses a ventilation system that recycles the air, so patrons of nearby businesses should not be bothered by the cigar smoke. Rachel Royster, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024 The products also have her West Coast stamp on them with warm tones and a neutral color palette, and are created using materials like rustic wood and recycled glassware from Mexico. Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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 And second, with complex sustainability initiatives behind the scenes that are meant to save energy, recycle and make the facilities more sustainable for future generations. Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for recycle 

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1925, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recycle was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near recycle

Cite this Entry

“Recycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recycle. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on recycle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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