# reuse

/ɹiˈjus/ (US) · /ɹiːjˈuːz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reuse
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to use again

verb · CEFR A2

to use something more than once, often for a new purpose, to avoid wasting it.

For teachers: to employ an item or material again in its original or a modified capacity, typically to extend its lifecycle.

- You can reuse these glass jars to store spices in your kitchen.
- The software architecture was designed so that developers could reuse existing modules across different applications, significantly reducing production time.

Usage: Transitive verb; always requires a direct object.

### 2. the act of using again

noun · CEFR B1

the act of using something again instead of throwing it in the trash.

For teachers: the practice or instance of using an item again, often discussed in the context of environmental sustainability.

- The city encourages the reuse of plastic bags to help the environment.
- The policy focuses on the reduction of waste through the systematic reuse of industrial components within the manufacturing cycle.

Usage: Can be used as both a countable and uncountable noun.

## Examples

- I always reuse my plastic bags when I go shopping.
- The company encourages employees to reuse glass jars for storage instead of buying new plastic containers.
- By implementing a system to reuse greywater for irrigation, the facility significantly reduced its overall environmental footprint and lowered monthly utility costs.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.