retrofit

verb

ret·​ro·​fit ˈre-trō-ˌfit How to pronounce retrofit (audio)
ˌre-trō-ˈfit
retrofitted or retrofit; retrofitting; retrofits

transitive verb

1
: to furnish (something, such as a computer, airplane, or building) with new or modified parts or equipment not available or considered necessary at the time of manufacture
2
: to install (new or modified parts or equipment) in something previously manufactured or constructed
3
: to adapt to a new purpose or need : modify
retrofit the story for a new audience
retrofit
ˈre-trō-ˌfit
noun

Did you know?

The concept of retrofitting became an urgent necessity during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology. Retrofitting was revived on a massive scale during the energy crisis of the 1970s, when new features were added to millions of old houses to make them more energy-efficient. Retrofitting is thus different from merely renovating, which may not involve any new technology at all.

Examples of retrofit in a Sentence

The factory has been retrofitted to meet the new safety regulations. We can retrofit your car with the new fuel system.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Funded by a $5-million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the idea is to get homeowners to retrofit now, before the next devastating earthquake. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 One solution may be retrofitting cargo ships with giant, vertical winglike sails capable of harnessing wind power as its main energy source. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2024 Although new build developments may grab headlines for their green certifications and innovative designs, retrofitting existing buildings is where the greatest emissions reduction impact can be achieved. Felicia Jackson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 According to Bloomberg, the capital costs tied to retrofitting cement plants could be significant. Deena Zaidi, Quartz, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for retrofit 

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retrofit was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near retrofit

Cite this Entry

“Retrofit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrofit. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

retrofit

verb
ret·​ro·​fit ˈre-trō-ˌfit How to pronounce retrofit (audio)
: to install (new or modified parts or equipment) in something previously manufactured or constructed

More from Merriam-Webster on retrofit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!