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

Additionally, the company will retool its Dechard engine plant to localize e-Power in the state. —Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Dec. 2025

Zuckerberg went on a spending spree to retool Meta’s AI leadership. —Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025

According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Stellantis was paid $222 million as part of a deal to retool its plants in Brampton and Windsor. —Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

But Mohan started retooling the app in 2017, after realizing a lot of users were already watching YouTube on their TVs. —Belinda Luscombe, Time, 4 Dec. 2025

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