Inflected forms: re·cy·cled, re·cy·cling, re·cy·cles 1. To put or pass through a cycle again, as for further treatment. 2. To start a different cycle in. 3a. To extract useful materials from (garbage or waste). b. To extract and reuse (useful substances found in waste). 4a. 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.