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.
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 Web
Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 6 June 2025
As one of the circularity projects, Saudi Arabia recycled more than five tons of them and turned them into 26,000 new ones that are being sold in local shops.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 6 June 2025
Richard Howells, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
These are the toughest plastics to recycle and most likely to be excluded in your local recycling program:
Symbol 3 – Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, found in pipes, shower curtains and some food packaging.
—Alex Jordan, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recycle
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Shoppers can even recycle directly through the brand—send back five empties and get a $25 gift card in return.
—Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 6 June 2025
As one of the circularity projects, Saudi Arabia recycled more than five tons of them and turned them into 26,000 new ones that are being sold in local shops.
—Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 6 June 2025
Noun
Embracing circular economy principles—reduce, reuse, recycle—minimizes landfill and pollution.
—Richard Howells, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
These are the toughest plastics to recycle and most likely to be excluded in your local recycling program:
Symbol 3 – Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, found in pipes, shower curtains and some food packaging.
—Alex Jordan, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recycle
Cite this Entry
“Recycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recycle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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