recycle Hear it!

recycle definition

re·cy·cle (rē sīkəl)

transitive verb recycled -·cled, recycling -·cling

  1. to pass through a cycle or part of a cycle again, as for checking, treating, etc.
  2. 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
  3. to alter or adapt to a new use or function recycle an old tenement into condominiums
  4. to use again; bring back; reuse recycle a speech from a previous campaign

intransitive verb

  1. 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
  2. to engage in recycling empty bottles, old newspapers, etc.

Related Forms:

  • recyclable re·cy′·cla·ble (-klə bəl) adjective
  • recycler re·cy′·cler (-klər, -kəl ər) noun

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

recycle Synonyms

recycle

v.

reuse, recover, salvage, convert; see reclaim 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

recycle Usage Examples

Object

  • ton: The company has the capacity to recycle 4,000 tons per year.

Modifies a noun

  • bin: From January 2003, second wheeled blue recycle bins will be issued in phases across the Boro.

Modifying Another Word

  • instead: Be Cool is a sequel that chooses to recycle instead of reinvent.

Adjective complement

  • more: This guide aims to draw together the main ideas on how to recycle more in business.

Used with why or when

  • where: Waste is recycled where possible and garden waste is shredded and used as mulch for the orchards.
recycle usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"recycle." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/recycle>

APA Style

recycle. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/recycle

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