Word
reprocessing
Phoneticsre·pro·cess·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈpɹɔsɛsɪŋ/
UK/ɹɪpɹˈəʊsɛsɪŋ/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. processing used material again to get something useful from it, like fuel or plastic. You see this word in recycling, energy, and computers.
n. repeated processing of material to recover usable substances or improve performance, especially spent nuclear fuel, waste plastics, or recorded data.
Examples
“The plant handles the reprocessing of old plastic bottles.”
“The facility specializes in the reprocessing of spent fuel to recover uranium and plutonium for new reactor use.”
“Effective reprocessing reduces long-term waste storage needs, though it raises complex questions about cost, safety, and control of sensitive materials.”
Examples
simple
“The plant handles the reprocessing of old plastic bottles.”
contextual
“The facility specializes in the reprocessing of spent fuel to recover uranium and plutonium for new reactor use.”
complex
“Effective reprocessing reduces long-term waste storage needs, though it raises complex questions about cost, safety, and control of sensitive materials.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “reprocessing” in context.
Verb
01. ban reprocessing
“Several countries have voted to ban reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel.”
verb + noun
02. oppose reprocessing
“Environmental groups continue to oppose reprocessing because of radioactive waste.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. chemical reprocessing
“Chemical reprocessing breaks down mixed plastics that cannot be recycled mechanically.”
adj + noun
04. commercial reprocessing
“The government suspended commercial reprocessing after safety concerns emerged.”
adj + noun
05. industrial reprocessing
“Industrial reprocessing allows manufacturers to reuse valuable metals from scrap.”
adj + noun
06. nuclear reprocessing
“France relies heavily on nuclear reprocessing to reduce spent fuel waste.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. cost of reprocessing
“The high cost of reprocessing limits its use in many countries.”
noun + prep + noun
08. plant for reprocessing
“A new plant for reprocessing spent fuel will open next year.”
noun + prep + noun
09. ban on nuclear reprocessing
“Germany maintains a strict ban on nuclear reprocessing.”
10. invest in reprocessing capacity
“The EU plans to invest in reprocessing capacity for batteries.”
11. recover fuel through reprocessing
“Engineers recover usable fuel through reprocessing spent rods.”
12. reduce waste through reprocessing
“Manufacturers can reduce waste through reprocessing scrap plastic.”
Usage
Typically used with 'of' + the material processed, as in 'reprocessing of waste'.
Real-World Examples
“But whether people dump, recycle, store or reprocess that substance – and whether they classify it as waste at all – depends on human decisions.” “They would need to download and reprocess petabytes of raw files—a task no single lab has the capacity to do—and figure out how to standardize data from different sources.” “Some scientists say reprocessing – the process of separating plutonium and uranium from spent nuclear fuel that produces reusable nuclear material and high-level nuclear waste – would make them safer by reducing the overall volume of waste that’s left.” “All of the rest can technically be reprocessed into new materials for different applications.” Synonyms
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/reprocessing