redefine
verb
re·de·fine
ˌrē-di-ˈfīn 
redefined; redefining; redefines
1
: to define (something, such as a concept) again : reformulate
had to redefine their terms
2
a
: to reexamine or reevaluate especially with a view to change
Synonyms
Examples of redefine in a Sentence
learning that he had been adopted forced him to completely redefine his identity
Recent Examples on the Web
The project portrays a young boxer from the lower rungs of society who redefines herself through the struggles of her spiritual journey.
—
Patrick Frater, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023
The issue wasn’t talent, but what to do with all of it: Leonard, George, Harden and Westbrook, all first-option scorers for the last decade, had to redefine their roles while in the same lineup, often with jumbled results.
—Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
From cutting-edge technology gadgets that redefine convenience to practical solutions for everyday home challenges, each of these products are carefully selected for its wow factor.
—Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
Congress should reject proposals that redefine poverty in a way that answers liberal calls for ever-growing government benefits.
—Matt Weidinger, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
After the first Italian translation of Lord of the Rings in the 1970s, the books were adopted as a new and wholesome frame for a post-Fascist right in Italy seeking to redefine itself after the dark days of Benito Mussolini.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
Maybe a more broadly curious development process refocused on new stories and settings, whether from the international marketplace and its creators or even from AI, can open up the aperture to redefine what makes something a good story to tell.
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Through Chavarria’s unabashedly romantic menswear and Rauw’s alluring public persona, the two have helped redefine what a Latino man looks like today.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2023
Fair enough: Platforms, especially Facebook, have encouraged news organizations to redefine their publishing strategies in the past, including through disastrous pivots to video, only to change directions with an algorithm update or the falsification of key metrics.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2023
See More
Patrick Frater, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023
The issue wasn’t talent, but what to do with all of it: Leonard, George, Harden and Westbrook, all first-option scorers for the last decade, had to redefine their roles while in the same lineup, often with jumbled results.
—Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
From cutting-edge technology gadgets that redefine convenience to practical solutions for everyday home challenges, each of these products are carefully selected for its wow factor.
—Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023
Congress should reject proposals that redefine poverty in a way that answers liberal calls for ever-growing government benefits.
—Matt Weidinger, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
After the first Italian translation of Lord of the Rings in the 1970s, the books were adopted as a new and wholesome frame for a post-Fascist right in Italy seeking to redefine itself after the dark days of Benito Mussolini.
—Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
Maybe a more broadly curious development process refocused on new stories and settings, whether from the international marketplace and its creators or even from AI, can open up the aperture to redefine what makes something a good story to tell.
—Howard Homonoff, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
Through Chavarria’s unabashedly romantic menswear and Rauw’s alluring public persona, the two have helped redefine what a Latino man looks like today.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2023
Fair enough: Platforms, especially Facebook, have encouraged news organizations to redefine their publishing strategies in the past, including through disastrous pivots to video, only to change directions with an algorithm update or the falsification of key metrics.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'redefine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near redefine
Cite this Entry
“Redefine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redefine. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
redefine
verb
re·de·fine
ˌrē-di-ˈfīn
1
: to define (as a concept) again
redefined their terms
2
: to reexamine or reevaluate especially with a view to change
redefine our goals
More from Merriam-Webster on redefine
Nglish: Translation of redefine for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of redefine for Arabic Speakers
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