upcycle

verb

up·​cy·​cle ˈəp-ˌsī-kəl How to pronounce upcycle (audio)
upcycled; upcycling

transitive verb

: 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
upcycling noun

Examples of upcycle in a Sentence

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.
Debuting on the brand’s fall 2024 runway, the heels were upcycled by Dauphinette’s founder, Olivia Cheng, who explained her affinity with the earth-friendly design practice to luxury resale platform The RealReal. Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025 The lower level — which will have vendors, a silent auction and raffles during the event — includes a game room, wine room, music room, family room, kitchenette, workout room, sauna, a room with a putting green and Wendy's upcycling project room. Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025 And some of her more than 300,000 Instagram followers, who tune in for her videos upcycling children’s bedsheets into custom clothing items, agreed. Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025 According to Atlas, upcycling and reimagining old clothing is an excellent fit for this adventurous and curious fire sign. Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for upcycle

Word History

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of upcycle was in 1994

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Cite this Entry

“Upcycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upcycle. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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