re·cy·cle
(ˌ)rē-ˈsī-kəl 
recycled; recycling; recycles
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
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
Larry McMurtry4
: 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
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.
Synonyms
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 WebBrooke Conrad, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2024
If all data can't be removed from a device, it gets recycled through a licensed recycler to keep e-waste out of landfills.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 6 Aug. 2024
Izzie Ramirez, Vox, 5 Aug. 2024
But there's plenty of online debate about whether such piles of stuff are a convenient way to recycle, or an annoying way of offloading junk that adds to street litter.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for recycle 
Verb
The increase in pay was intended to alleviate staffing shortages amid a pause in recycling during the pandemic.
—Brooke Conrad, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2024
If all data can't be removed from a device, it gets recycled through a licensed recycler to keep e-waste out of landfills.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 6 Aug. 2024
Noun
Because so much energy is required, materials that are more expensive to extract than recycle are the ones that are prioritized for recycling, like steel, glass, and aluminum.
—Izzie Ramirez, Vox, 5 Aug. 2024
But there's plenty of online debate about whether such piles of stuff are a convenient way to recycle, or an annoying way of offloading junk that adds to street litter.
—Melissa Santos, Axios, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for recycle
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recycle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near recycle
Cite this Entry
“Recycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recycle. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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