repurpose

verb re·pur·pose \ (ˌ)rē-ˈpər-pəs \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of repurpose

transitive verb

: to give a new purpose or use to

repurpose the company's website

repurpose the archived material

See repurpose defined for English-language learners

Examples of repurpose in a Sentence

finding ways to repurpose old computer equipment

Recent Examples of repurpose from the Web

Companies pay monthly fees for their recyclables to be picked up from businesses like Phoenix Recycling, which subsidizes the high costs of transportation to facilities that repurpose glass.

— kendra parks, NOLA.com, "City suspends glass recycling at drop-off center starting April 14," 11 Apr. 2018
Artists in residence Howell will repurpose the library through the Alexa Rose Foundation, named for his first wife, an artist who died in 2013.

— dana oland, idahostatesman, "This historic Downtown Boise building will get a new life this summer," 9 Apr. 2018
Skeptics note that researchers also have tried to repurpose metformin and 2DG to block metabolism in cancer cells, with inconsistent results.

— mitch leslie, Science | AAAS, "To treat some diseases, researchers are putting immune cells on a diet," 29 Mar. 2018
As water quality has improved, public, private, nonprofit, educational, faith-based, and grassroots entities have begun collaborating to build or repurpose pieces of infrastructure.

— kevin riordan, Philly.com, "New parks, trails will reconnect region to Camden's two rivers," 9 Mar. 2018
That leaves unused space that Ms. Johnson wants to repurpose.

— james barron, New York Times, "In Brooklyn, Modernizing a Library for Downloads and Robots," 25 Mar. 2018
Learn about buildings and spaces that feature energy efficiency or repurpose space or made a unique use of materials.

— lisa deaderick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Showing off impressive structure and design," 22 Mar. 2018
His return allowed the Ravens to move on from Howard and repurpose the cap savings elsewhere.

— jeff zrebiec, baltimoresun.com, "Ravens news, notes and opinions on free agency, Allen Hurns, offensive line, Derwin James," 21 Mar. 2018
The song, and the entire project concept, was meant to repurpose the insult for more empowering effect.

— nina tabios, San Francisco Chronicle, "Trump’s tweets inspire rapper Dumbfoundead’s new EP," 20 Mar. 2018

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

First Known Use of repurpose

1984

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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REPURPOSE Defined for English Language Learners

repurpose

verb

Definition of repurpose for English Language Learners

: to change (something) so that it can be used for a different purpose

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repurpose

Definition of repurpose

Examples of repurpose in a Sentence

Recent Examples of repurpose from the Web

First Known Use of repurpose

REPURPOSE Defined for English Language Learners

repurpose

Definition of repurpose for English Language Learners

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repurpose

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repurpose

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