modernize

verb mod·ern·ize \ ˈmä-dər-ˌnīz \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Examples: modernize in a Sentence

Definition of modernize

modernized; modernizing

transitive verb

: to make modern (as in taste, style, or usage)

intransitive verb

: to adopt modern ways

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modernizer

noun

See modernize defined for English-language learners

See modernize defined for kids

Examples of modernize in a Sentence

We're modernizing our kitchen with a new oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher.
The country recently announced plans to begin modernizing its army.
The school needs a building with modernized classrooms.
Older companies will need to modernize quickly if they are to survive in today's economy.

Recent Examples of modernize from the Web

At the current pace, modernizing the entire system could take a half-century.

— New York Times, "M.T.A. Plan to Upgrade Subways Is Ambitious. But Is It Even Possible?," 11 June 2018
This sister act modernizes Irish music with their high energy fiddling, pop influences and step dancing.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Coming up: Colony Days, a summer burlesque show and Alyeska Bike Park opens," 8 June 2018
Two brothers bought the hotel in 1974 and have worked to restore and modernize the rooms.

— mary forgione, latimes.com, "Vintage California hotels where Gold Rush and early California dreams live on," 8 June 2018
April's meeting of the rival Korean leaders ended with South Korean President Moon Jae-in's promise to connect and modernize railroad lines and roads.

— oren dorell, USA TODAY, "Here's Kim Jong Un's wish list for the Singapore summit with President Trump," 6 June 2018
Can-do entrepreneurship alone won’t modernize the region’s transportation infrastructure, nor will a concentration of academic know-how make housing more affordable.

— bill sibold, STAT, "Boston: the best city in the world to fail in biotech," 3 June 2018
There is likely to be some legal hurdles yet to jump over, contractors to line up, and architects to preserve yet modernize the building.

— phoebe wall howard, Detroit Free Press, "Property law expert: Ford deal for Detroit train depot seems complete," 31 May 2018
Brookfield also has experience in overhauling and modernizing Manhattan office buildings, such as 450 West 33rd St., which was renamed Five Manhattan West.

— peter grant, WSJ, "Kushner Cos., Brookfield Near a Deal for Stake in 666 Fifth Ave.," 17 May 2018
Provide a more efficient and more transparent service to the community, modernize the sheriff's office with better training/equipment, all of which will be accomplished by a collective input from the current employees.

— nick hollkamp, The Courier-Journal, "Voters guide: Candidates for Jefferson County attorney and other races," 15 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'modernize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of modernize

1716

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

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modernize Synonyms

Synonyms

contemporize, streamline, update;

MODERNIZE Defined for English Language Learners

modernize

verb

Definition of modernize for English Language Learners

: to make (something) modern and more suited to present styles or needs
: to become modern : to begin using the newest information, methods, or technology