retrofit

verb

ret·​ro·​fit ˈre-trō-ˌfit  ˌre-trō-ˈfit 

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

retrofit

ˈre-trō-ˌfit 

noun

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during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology.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.

Examples of retrofit in a Sentence

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

We can retrofit your car with the new fuel system.

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, reaching the final stages of net-zero action will require electrification across more of the manufacturing floor and systems, which will necessitate investment in retrofitting or acquiring new machines. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 19 Mar. 2026

According to internal documents, the agency is planning to buy and retrofit 24 commercial warehouses, boosting its detention capacity to more than 92,000 beds in a matter of months. —Carlie Procell, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026

This points in the direction of a city decision to retrofit an employees’ break room at City Hall to record podcasts, a decision that did not sit well with some employees. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026

This is not a man itching to be retrofitted into a twenty-first-century partisan machine. —Alexis Coe, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for retrofit

• candlelit
• counterfeit
• hypocrite
• monazite
• resubmit
• acquit
• admit
• amrit
• armpit
• backlit
• befit
• cockpit

Kids Definition

retrofit

verb

ret·​ro·​fit ˈre-trō-ˌfit 

: to install (new or modified parts or equipment) in something previously manufactured or constructed