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.
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 Fēlthos is a regenerated noble felt crafted via an upcycling process, made from textile surplus of premium virgin materials from the luxury supply chain. Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 15 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 Hydrogenolysis, one promising upcycling approach, uses hydrogen gas and a catalyst to break down polymers in plastics into liquid fuels for transportation and industry. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 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 25 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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