Definition of retrofit
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\ nounRead the Latest from M-W
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 of retrofit from the Web
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Birmingham council has pledged to spend up to £31m retrofitting its 213 tower blocks with sprinkler systems.
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A new state law that allows delivery drivers to use the vehicles on some public roads led UPS to retrofit the vehicles and attach trailers or flatbeds, an attempt to use the most efficient, flexible transport to keep goods moving.
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In 2009, engineers discovered a structural flaw at the point where the wings join the body of the plane, and had to design and retrofit a fix, causing a six-month delay.
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Under current law, local governments are barred from requiring retrofitting before the end of 2019.
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The 35-year-old building will be retrofitted so more food can be distributed throughout the 13 counties served by the food bank.
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Streets is looking to retrofit them with foot pedals.
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There's no way of retrofitting it to existing Windows systems.
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Retrofitting uses a technology that few drivers actually see but has been standard on all vehicles made since 1996: diagnostic access points, called OBD-II ports, typically located under the steering column.
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
RETROFIT Defined for English Language Learners
retrofit
playDefinition of retrofit for English Language Learners
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: to provide (something) with new parts that were not available when it was originally built
Learn More about retrofit
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