salvage

Universal Words noun, verb noun [U] 1 the act of saving things that have been, or are likely to be, damaged or lost, especially in a disaster or an accident: the salvage of the wrecked tanker * a salvage company / operation / team 2 the things that are saved from a disaster or an accident: an exhibition of the salvage from the wreck verb [VN] 1 ~ sth (from sth) to save a badly damaged ship, etc. from being lost completely; to save parts or property from a damaged ship or from a fire, etc: The wreck was salvaged by a team from the RAF. * We only managed to salvage two paintings from the fire. * The house was built using salvaged materials. 2 to manage to rescue sth from a difficult situation; to stop a bad situation from being a complete failure: What can I do to salvage my reputation? (= get a good reputation again) * He wondered what he could do to salvage the situation. * United lost 52, salvaging a little pride with two late goals.