redefine

1 of 2

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

redefinition

2 of 2

noun

re·​def·​i·​ni·​tion (ˌ)rē-ˌde-fə-ˈni-shən 

: an act or instance of redefining

asking for … a redefinition of the objectives of the liberal college

—B. F. Wright

such terms as liberal call for periodic redefinition

Synonyms of redefine

Verb

• reconsider
• revisit
• review

Examples of redefine in a Sentence

Verb

learning that he had been adopted forced him to completely redefine his identity

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Mashburn said baby boomers are redefining retirement, right down to who runs the place. — Itay Hod, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Cheryl Johnson is the CTPO of Betterworks, shaping product strategy that redefines performance management practices for global enterprises. — Cheryl Johnson, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

These big events are redefining strategy for every company in the ecosystem. — Alex Sherman,lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

At a moment when the industry is redefining its future, inclusion can be part of the solution, not a casualty of contraction. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

re- + definition

First Known Use

Verb

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