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retrofit

verb ret·ro·fit \ ˈre-trō-ˌfit , ˌre-trō-ˈfit \
|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

Definition of retrofit

retrofitted or retrofit; retrofitting; retrofits
transitive verb
1 : to furnish (something, such as a computer, airplane, or building) with new or modified parts or equipment not available or considered necessary at the time of manufacture
2 : to install (new or modified parts or equipment) in something previously manufactured or constructed
3 : to adapt to a new purpose or need : modify
  • retrofit the story for a new audience
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retrofit

\ˈre-trō-ˌfit\ noun

See retrofit defined for English-language learners

See retrofit defined for kids

Examples of retrofit in a Sentence

  1. The factory has been retrofitted to meet the new safety regulations.

  2. We can retrofit your car with the new fuel system.

Recent Examples of retrofit from the Web

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

Did You Know?

The concept of retrofitting became an urgent necessity during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology. Retrofitting was revived on a massive scale during the energy crisis of the 1970s, when new features were added to millions of old houses to make them more energy-efficient. Retrofitting is thus different from merely renovating, which may not involve any new technology at all.

First Known Use of retrofit

1949

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

RETROFIT Defined for English Language Learners

retrofit

verb

Definition of retrofit for English Language Learners

  • : to provide (something) with new parts that were not available when it was originally built

Learn More about retrofit

  1. See words that rhyme with retrofit Nglish: Translation of retrofit for Spanish speakers

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