retread

1 of 3

verb (1)

re·​tread (ˌ)rē-ˈtred 

retreaded; retreading

transitive verb

1

: to bond or vulcanize a new tread to the prepared surface of (a worn tire)

2

: to make over as if new

retread an old plot

retread

2 of 3

noun

re·​tread ˈrē-ˌtred 

1

: a retreaded tire

2

: something made or done again especially in slightly altered form : remake

3

a

: one (such as a retired person) who is recalled or retrained for work

b

: one (such as an athlete) who has previously held the same or a similar position

re-tread

3 of 3

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈtred 

re-trod (ˌ)rē-ˈträd  ; re-trodden (ˌ)rē-ˈträ-dᵊn  or re-trod; re-treading

transitive verb

: to tread again

Examples of retread in a Sentence

Noun

The show is just another TV sitcom retread.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rather than imagine the ways these characters might have evolved over nearly 30 years, the script by Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett, and Kelly Marcel regresses the women in order to retread many of the beats of the original film. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

The posting spree began with a post depicting CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins as trans social media star Dylan Muvaney—retreading on a comment the president made during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. — Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Noun

One arc focuses on Logan's character development, which feels like an uninspired retread of Kratos’ arc from the original PlayStation 2 God of War. — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Instead, this late sequel delivers a retread of the signposts that made the original a beloved fixture for certain moviegoers, while failing to correct the flaws that made everyone else all but forget it for three decades. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Verb

With some re-tread in free agency? — Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025

Two days of hearings in Arizona's fake electors case began Monday, with defense lawyers expected to re-tread ground that was covered while a different judge presided over the case. — Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1605, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for retread

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead

Kids Definition

retread

1 of 2 verb

re·​tread (ˈ)rē-ˈtred 

retreaded; retreading

1

: to put a new tread on (a worn tire)

2

: to make over as if new

retread an old plot

retread

2 of 2 noun

re·​tread ˈrē-ˌtred 

1

: a retreaded tire

2

: something made or done again especially in a slightly altered form