retool

verb

re·​tool (ˌ)rē-ˈtül 

retooled; retooling; retools

transitive verb

1

: to reequip with tools

2

: reorganize

3

: revise, modify

intransitive verb

: to make especially minor changes or improvements

retool for the future

Examples of retool in a Sentence

The factory has been retooled.

The company is retooling its sales strategies.

The company is retooling for the future.

Recent Examples on the Web

With the departures of Luther Burden III, Theo Wease Jr. and Mookie Cooper — who combined for 1,795 yards and 10 touchdowns in the 2024 season — Missouri entered the offseason needing to retool its receiver rotation. —Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2025

The Toronto Blue Jays are retooling for their AL East push. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025

The proposal was drafted after council members passed a resolution directing the city to explore ways to retool land use requirements, including height restrictions. —Ella McCarthy, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

What began as a subversive experiment for crypto natives is being retooled for the playbooks of traditional finance. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for retool

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• preschool
• pustule
• whirlpool

Kids Definition

retool

verb

re·​tool (ˈ)rē-ˈtül 

1

: to equip again with new or different tools

retool a factory

2

: to make changes or improvements to

retool that idea