retool

verb

re·​tool (ˌ)rē-ˈtül 

retooled; retooling; retools

transitive verb

1

: to reequip with tools

2

: reorganize

3

: revise, modify

intransitive verb

: to make especially minor changes or improvements

retool for the future

Examples of retool in a Sentence

The factory has been retooled.

The company is retooling its sales strategies.

The company is retooling for the future.

Recent Examples on the Web

Purchasing facilities such as the Rosslyn plant can enable automakers to retool existing factories rather than build new ones from scratch. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Sac State returns just four starters from a 7-win season, but retooled through the transfer portal and with a strong recruiting class. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026

That forced the filmmakers to retool much of the story, though Fogelson said that some of the material that was cut could be used in the sequel. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 6 Aug. 2026

The 35-year company veteran is leading the logistics giant through multiple transitions—cutting billions in structural costs and retooling the company for the AI age. — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for retool

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• preschool
• pustule
• whirlpool

Kids Definition

retool

verb

re·​tool (ˈ)rē-ˈtül 

1

: to equip again with new or different tools

retool a factory

2

: to make changes or improvements to

retool that idea