rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysalvageRecovery
verb / noun

salvage

SAL-vij/sˈælvʌdʒ/

The recovery of something from damage or loss.

Volunteers salvage wooden planks and chairs from a storm-damaged shed.

Two adult volunteers recover intact wooden planks and usable chairs from the edge of a storm-damaged shed, careful safe footing, no victims or injuries.
Etymology
salvageFrenchsalvage; saving

Salvage first named payment for saving a ship from wreck or capture. Its meaning broadened to rescuing property from danger and recovering useful waste material—the saving activity rather than its reward.

In context

Franklin Church19:28
he can release us from the burden of these bad decisions God can redeem and salvage what is left of our lives and use it as a blessing to others
Lewd & Lascivious Conduct: Lessons from a Regrettable Life

More examples

  • The salvage of the wreck takes several weeks.
  • The crew sorts the salvage into wood and metal.
  • A quick apology helps salvage their friendship.

Forms

salvage · salvages · salvaged · salvaging

salvageable adjective — Able to be saved or recovered.

salvager noun — A person who recovers damaged property.

Similar words

recover
Emphasizes getting something back, whether damaged or merely lost.
save
Can mean preventing damage entirely, rather than recovering what remains.
reclaim
Emphasizes making discarded or unusable material useful again.