reprocess

verb

re·​pro·​cess (ˌ)rē-ˈprä-ˌses How to pronounce reprocess (audio)
-ˈprō-,
-səs
reprocessed; reprocessing; reprocesses

transitive verb

: to subject to a special process or treatment in preparation for reuse
especially : to extract uranium and plutonium from (the spent fuel rods of a nuclear reactor) for use again as fuel

Examples of reprocess in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Although the country currently lacks the domestic enrichment or reprocessing facilities required to build nuclear weapons, its politicians openly debate the question of whether to develop a nuclear arsenal. Andrew S. Erickson, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024 That gas cooled and formed dust, which reprocessed visible light from the star into the infrared, slowly increasing in intensity until the primary outburst. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 May 2023 Now, in anticipation of the film’s fortieth anniversary, the original negative has been reprocessed in a high-resolution 4K format, and reissued, once again, for theatrical release. Jonathan Gould, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2023 With this reduced reactivity while on a psychedelic, a patient may be able to reprocess traumatic events without these sensations of fear. Jennifer Chesak, Verywell Health, 12 Oct. 2023 Saudi Arabia has also hedged its bets, refusing to forswear enrichment or reprocessing and maintaining an outdated arrangement with the International Atomic Energy Agency that limits the access of international inspectors. Eric Brewer, Foreign Affairs, 17 Nov. 2022 In negotiations with Washington, Seoul has long pushed for the ability to enrich and reprocess nuclear fuel. Eric Brewer, Foreign Affairs, 17 Nov. 2022 One plucks out juice cartons and plastic bottles that can be reprocessed, while the other searches for contaminants in the stream of paper products headed to a fiber mill. Joe Fassler, The Atlantic, 17 Aug. 2023 Sensors pick up any impurities and water deemed unacceptable for drinking is reprocessed, according to NASA. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 27 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reprocess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reprocess was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near reprocess

Cite this Entry

“Reprocess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reprocess. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reprocess

verb
re·​pro·​cess rē-ˈpräs-ˌes How to pronounce reprocess (audio)
-ˈprōs-,
-es
: to subject to a special process or treatment in preparation for reuse

More from Merriam-Webster on reprocess

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