salvage

[sal-vij]

noun

1. 1. the act of saving a ship or its cargo from perils of the seas.

   2. the property so saved.

   3. compensation given to those who voluntarily save a ship or its cargo.

2. 1. the act of saving anything from fire, danger, etc.

   2. the property so saved.

3. the value or proceeds upon sale of goods recovered from a shipwreck, fire, etc.

4. the act of saving something of use or value from destruction, damage, ruin, loss, or waste.

   The salvage of carcass parts for pharmaceutical or research use is permitted if it does not interfere with sanitary operations.

verb (used with object)

salvaged, salvaging 

1. to save or rescue (property) from shipwreck, fire, or other peril.

   Synonyms: recover, retrieve

2. to save from destruction, damage, ruin, or loss.

   A new achievement was the only way to salvage his reputation.

3. to preserve (a useful or valuable part) from something otherwise wasted, discarded, or deemed a failure: I tried to salvage the unburnt part of the cornbread.

   We purchase end-of-life vehicles and salvage scrap metal.

   I tried to salvage the unburnt part of the cornbread.

   The team has a chance to salvage some degree of glory from a dismal season.

salvage

/ ˈsælvɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act, process, or business of rescuing vessels or their cargoes from loss at sea

2. 1. the act of saving any goods or property in danger of damage or destruction

   2. ( as modifier )

      a salvage operation

3. the goods or property so saved

4. compensation paid for the salvage of a vessel or its cargo

5. the proceeds from the sale of salvaged goods or property

verb

1. to save or rescue (goods or property) from fire, shipwreck, etc

2. to gain (something beneficial) from a failure

   she salvaged little from the broken marriage

Other Word Forms

• salvageable adjective
• salvager noun
• unsalvaged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of salvage¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Old French; save ¹, -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of salvage¹

C17: from Old French, from Medieval Latin salvāgium, from salvāre to _save ¹

Example Sentences

“We will be monitoring traffic next week and remain optimistic that there is sufficient time for the December holiday season to be salvaged,” he added.

Read more on Barron's

That would put Oracle behind Microsoft and Amazon but ahead of CoreWeave on the creditor list, which could help it salvage some of the backlog, they say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Once the fire is out, there will be a salvage operation, followed by an investigation into the cause of the fire and the specific hazardous materials that burned, he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

On both occasions, they failed the test and actually needed late equalisers to salvage anything after falling behind.

Read more on BBC

Play-off Patrick Mahomes turned up to salvage the Chiefs' season while the Chicago Bears continue to surprise as they continue to win.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• reclaim 
• recover 
• redeem 
• regain 
• restore 
• retrieve