retrofit

verb

ret·​ro·​fit ˈre-trō-ˌfit 

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during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology.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

Engineers Alberto Lacaze, 55, and Karl Murphy, 65, spent about 20 years developing technology to retrofit more than 50 types of vehicles to drive themselves, including transit buses and military convoy trucks. —Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Viewers will meet celebrities, sports stars and wealthy business leaders who can afford $150,000 or more to buy converted vehicles or to have their own trucks retrofitted. —Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2025

Under the settlement, the Sheriff’s Office agreed to retrofit showers, toilets and beds to meet accessibility standards, ensure access to devices like wheelchairs and CPAP machines and provide appropriate support for people with developmental disabilities. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

Trump seemed to be dissatisfied with the construction project, which is very much over budget, in part due to steel tariffs, COVID, inflation and the challenges of retrofitting historic buildings to modern standards. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for retrofit

• candlelit
• counterfeit
• hypocrite
• monazite
• resubmit
• acquit
• admit
• amrit
• armpit
• backlit
• befit
• cockpit

Kids Definition

retrofit

verb

ret·​ro·​fit ˈre-trō-ˌfit 

: to install (new or modified parts or equipment) in something previously manufactured or constructed