recycle

To recycle is to use again or to reuse waste material by converting it into something new. (verb)

An example of recycle is when you return bottles, which are then processed into new glass products.

See recycle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb recycled, recycling

to pass through a cycle or part of a cycle again, as for checking, treating, etc.
to use again and again, as a single supply of water in cooling, washing, diluting, etc.
1. to treat or process in order to use again: recycle aluminum cans
2. to gather up and turn in (empty bottles and cans, old newspapers, etc.) to be so treated or processed
to alter or adapt to a new use or function: recycle an old tenement into condominiums
to use again; bring back; reuse: recycle a speech from a previous campaign

intransitive verb

to pass through a cycle, system, etc. and return to the starting point again or repeatedly: the electronic flash recycles in 5 seconds; the water recycles through the cooling system
to engage in recycling empty bottles, old newspapers, etc.

Related Forms:

See recycle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(rē-sīˈkəl)

transitive verb re·cy·cled, re·cy·cling, re·cy·cles

To put or pass through a cycle again, as for further treatment.
To start a different cycle in.
a. To extract useful materials from (garbage or waste).
b. To extract and reuse (useful substances found in waste).
a. To use again, especially to reprocess: recycle aluminum cans; recycle old jokes.
b. To recondition and adapt to a new use or function: recycling old warehouses as condominiums.

Related Forms:

Learn more about recycle

» recycle synonyms

Related Articles

» What Does Leed Stand For?

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD