Salvage
'sæl.vɪdʒ
Definitions
2 meaningsTo retrieve or save something from a disastrous situation, often by taking steps to rescue it.
'sæl.vɪdʒ
To save or rescue (something) from loss or destruction.
They managed to salvage some of the furniture after the fire.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend accidentally dropped their phone in a puddle. You're trying to get it out quickly before the water ruins it. You're trying to salvage it!
👶 For kids: To save something from being lost or broken.
More Examples
The team worked to salvage the project after it went over budget.
He was able to salvage his reputation after the negative publicity.
How It's Used
"The crew worked tirelessly to salvage the cargo from the sinking ship."
"The company attempted to salvage its reputation after the scandal."
The act of saving something from a disastrous situation, or the thing that is saved.
'sæl.vɪdʒ
The act of saving property from destruction or loss.
The company specializes in the salvage of sunken ships.
💡 Simply: It's like rescuing the good stuff from a disaster. Like the act of grabbing your toys after your room got messy.
👶 For kids: The stuff you save from a bad situation.
More Examples
The salvage operation recovered valuable artifacts from the wreckage.
The salvage value of the car was estimated after the accident.
How It's Used
"The insurance company paid a substantial sum for the salvage of the vehicle."
"The salvage operation was complicated due to the ship's unstable position."
Synonyms
Reclaim
Recover
Rescue
Retrieve
Reclamation
Recovery
Retrieval
Idioms & expressions
salvage operation
The organized effort to recover something from a disaster.
"The salvage operation to recover the airplane's black box lasted for weeks."
salvage value
The estimated worth of something after it has been damaged or can no longer be used for its original purpose.
"The salvage value of the car was calculated after the accident."
From Old French *salver* 'to save' (from Latin *salvus* 'safe'). The word's meaning developed from maritime usage to encompass broader contexts of rescue and preservation.
The term 'salvage' has a long history in maritime law, referring to the right to be rewarded for rescuing a ship or its cargo from peril at sea. It was later applied more broadly.
Memory tip
Imagine a ship sinking. You're trying to *save* anything valuable from the water: that's salvaging.