1. the act of searching for and collecting usable items or materials

1. searching for and collecting discarded or usable items
Usage: present participle of scavenge
2. feeding on dead or decaying organic matter
Usage: biology; present participle of scavenge

Examples

• The children were scavenging for bottles to recycle.
• Vultures are scavenging birds that feed on carrion.
• After the storm, people were scavenging through the debris for their belongings.
• Urban scavenging has become more common during economic hardship.
• The raccoons were scavenging in the garbage cans at night.
• Scavenging for spare parts, he managed to fix the old radio.
• Marine scavenging helps clean the ocean floor of dead organisms.