upcycle
verb
up·cy·cle
ˈəp-ˌsī-kəl 
upcycled; upcycling
: to recycle (something) in such a way that the resulting product is of a higher value than the original item : to create an object of greater value from (a discarded object of lesser value)
The line upcycles single-use plastic bags that are cleaned and brought in from Bali, Indonesia, and parts of California for use as the main material in the shoes. In the company's first year more than 175,000 plastic bags were reused to create footwear and accessories.—
Melissa Magsaysay
Melissa Magsaysay
upcycling
noun
Examples of upcycle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Their Mothers’ Wedding Dresses: For rehearsal dinners, receptions or the wedding itself, some daughters are upcycling dresses that tell a family story.
—Sadiba Hasan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Many exciting collaborations are also in the pipeline, including Gigi Hadid’s Guest In Residence, which tapped Nigel Xavier to create unique pieces by upcycling deadstock cashmere.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
In Oregon, Tessa Koch’s TMK Distillery upcycles the whey leftover from their own cheese-making process at the world’s only all-in-one creamery and distillery.
—Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
By upcycling a neglected garment, Hirsch hopes to give someone the chance to experience the beauty and craftsmanship that goes into creating a piece.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upcycle
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.
Sadiba Hasan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Many exciting collaborations are also in the pipeline, including Gigi Hadid’s Guest In Residence, which tapped Nigel Xavier to create unique pieces by upcycling deadstock cashmere.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
In Oregon, Tessa Koch’s TMK Distillery upcycles the whey leftover from their own cheese-making process at the world’s only all-in-one creamery and distillery.
—Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
By upcycling a neglected garment, Hirsch hopes to give someone the chance to experience the beauty and craftsmanship that goes into creating a piece.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upcycle
Cite this Entry
“Upcycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upcycle. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share