redefine

verb

re·​de·​fine ˌrē-di-ˈfīn 

redefined; redefining; redefines

transitive verb

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

b

: transform sense 1c

redefinition

(ˌ)rē-ˌde-fə-ˈni-shən 

noun

Synonyms of redefine

• reconsider
• revisit
• review

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 exhibition presents a quartet of multigenerational artists who helped redefine printmaking through material and perceptual innovation, the museum said. — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026

The buildings that are thus given time to grow and develop, find their affinity to the site in that long dialogue, find their materiality and also sometimes redefine their purpose. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026

Those 12 minutes of shocking terror redefined the slasher genre. — Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026

Only here, that company is speaker maker L-Acoustics, and the project does away with headsets entirely — redefining immersive LBE around spatial sound. — Ben Croll, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for redefine

• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine
• caroline
• centerline

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