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

This feels like a personnel department that’s retooling and reinforcing around Mahomes. —Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026

Boise State will continue to be active in the transfer portal, having to retool after losing all five starters, three of whom entered the portal themselves. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2026

Originally told in two parts, the Broadway version was truncated after the pandemic and retooled into a single, three-and-half-hour show. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026

In the weeks leading up to Saturday’s grand opening, the city retooled the contract in a way that gave Miami Freedom Park even more flexibility on paying its outstanding eight-figure balance. —Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 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