UPCYCLE Definition & Meaning

upcycle

[ uhp-sahy-kuhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

upcycled, upcycling.

to process (used goods or waste material) so as to produce something that is often better than the original: Compare downcycle ( def 2 ).
I upcycled a stained tablecloth into curtains.

verb (used without object)

upcycled, upcycling.

to process goods or material so as to produce something that is often better than the original:
Several new companies whose purpose is to upcycle have sprung up recently.

noun

Economics. a period or cycle during which business activity or profitability is at a high point:
The whole industry has entered an upcycle.

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

�ܱ�·��·�� noun

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of upcycle¹

First recorded in 1990–95; up + (re)cycle

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

We’ve worked with the most committed pecan shellers to upcycle pecan pieces and capture nut meats to preserve their nutrition.

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It is a clever way to upcycle materials that may otherwise end up in landfills.

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“The increase in geo-political tensions around the world is driving a fundamental rearmament upcycle which is expected to last for at least the next decade,” said Chemring chief executive Michael Ord.

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In each episode, contestants — or “disrupters” as they’re called — are challenged to reuse materials and upcycle fashion for unique looks meant to impress Roach, Fox and a guest judge.

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"We take them in, we sort them, we take garments off them, or maybe the fabric is really lovely but damaged, and then we upcycle them," she said.

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