salvage

American  

[sal-vij] / ˈsæl vɪdʒ /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of salvage

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

Explanation

To salvage something is to save it...before it's too late. You might try to salvage your damaged reputation by defending yourself, or salvage a burnt piece of toast by scraping off the black residue. As a noun salvage is the act of rescuing stuff from a disaster like a shipwreck or fire — or the rescued goods themselves. As a verb, salvage means to collect or rescue that sort of item, or more generally to save something from harm or ruin. If you want to salvage your grade, you need to stop gaming so much and start studying more.

Example Sentences

Salvage experts are already in Malta in preparation for the ship's arrival in Maltese waters, while a specialist vessel is on its way, a maritime source told AFP on Sunday.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

Salvage whatever was useful for someone else to run.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025

In total, 14 firefighters and five members of the Glasgow Salvage Corps lost their lives in what was the British Fire Service’s worst disaster since the end of the World War Two.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2024

Salvage crews are hoping to recover the two remaining bodies once more of the debris has been removed.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 15, 2024

We drive into Annie's Salvage Yard, and when Annie sees us, she walks out carrying a large toolbox.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio

Related Words

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