upcycle

American  

[uhp-sahy-kuhl] / ˈʌpˌsaɪ kəl /

verb (used with object)

upcycled, upcycling

1. to process (used goods or waste material) so as to produce something that is often better than the original.

   I upcycled a stained tablecloth into curtains.

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verb (used without object)

upcycled, upcycling

1. 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

1. Economics. a period or cycle during which business activity or profitability is at a high point.

   The whole industry has entered an upcycle.

Other Word Forms

• upcycler noun

Etymology

Origin of upcycle

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

Example Sentences

However, Chatterjee argues that Seagate and Western Digital are taking an approach that could prolong the hard-drive upcycle and justifies a sustained higher valuation.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

“We recommend investors start positioning now for a 2027 upcycle, as the home builders typically move early on the first signs of a new cycle.”

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

Even that might be considered a short period if the banks’ upcycle continues.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 12, 2026

“If demand stays this robust, the upcycle could continue for multiple years,” wrote Morgan Stanley’s Moore.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

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

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2024