scavenge

verb

scav·​enge ˈska-vənj 

-vinj

scavenged; scavenging

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to remove (dirt, refuse, etc.) from an area

(2)

: to clean away dirt or refuse from : cleanse

scavenge a street

b

: to feed on (carrion or refuse)

2

a

: to remove (burned gases) from the cylinder of an internal combustion engine after a working stroke

b

: to remove (something, such as an undesirable constituent) from a substance or region by chemical or physical means

c

: to clean and purify (molten metal) by taking up foreign elements in chemical union

3

: to salvage from discarded or refuse material

also : to salvage usable material from

intransitive verb

: to work or act as a scavenger

Examples of scavenge in a Sentence

Rats scavenged in the trash.

The bears scavenged the woods for food.

He scavenged the town dump for automobile parts.

Recent Examples on the Web

Birds of prey are defined by their sharp talons, hooked beaks, keen eyesight, and carnivorous diet – all of which enable them to hunt, kill or scavenge other animals for food. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025

These robots could then add new pieces—either scavenged from the environment or taken from other robots—to improve their abilities. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025

Families across the Lone Star State were forced to scavenge for firewood or spend nights in their cars, trying desperately to stay warm in the more than weeklong freeze. —Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 12 July 2025

The authors speculate that young, curious dogs scavenge and eat items they are not supposed to, leading to unpleasant accidents. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from scavenger

First Known Use

circa 1644, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

scavenge

verb

scav·​enge ˈskav-ənj 

-inj

scavenged; scavenging

: to collect usable things from what has been discarded