Salvage Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of SALVAGE

[noncount]

1

:

the act of saving something (such as a building, a ship, or cargo) that is in danger of being completely destroyed

• The ship was beyond salvage.
• salvage attempts/efforts/operations

2

:

something (such as cargo) that is saved from a wreck, fire, etc.

• the salvage from the wrecked ship
• (US) I got the part from an auto salvage place. [=from a junkyard; from a place where broken cars are taken so that their parts can be removed and sold]

Britannica Dictionary definition of SALVAGE

[+ object]

1

:

to remove (something) from a place so that it will not be damaged, destroyed, or lost

• Divers salvaged some of the sunken ship's cargo.
• Few of their possessions were salvaged from the fire.

2

:

to save (something valuable or important)

:

to prevent the loss of (something)

• He is trying to salvage his marriage/reputation.

— salvageable

/ˈsælvɪʤəbəl/

adjective

• The marriage was not salvageable.