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 of recycle

Verb

• 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

Eco effort Over 1,000 solar panels power the resort’s operations during the day, while an on-site treatment plant recycles up to 80% of the wastewater used for landscaping. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026

And for a while, Chase was like spending kind of obscene amounts of money like recycling the metal and the thing. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026

Noun

Waste less, recycle, reuse, and conserve each day. —Barrie Gillies, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026

Large beauty retailers such as Ulta Beauty and Sephora are also partnering with Pact Collective, a nonprofit that collects hard-to-recycle beauty packaging through in-store bins. —ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1925, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recycle

• cycle
• motorcycle

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