retrofit

verb ret·ro·fit \ ˈre-trō-ˌfit , ˌre-trō-ˈfit \

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

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retrofit

\ˈre-trō-ˌfit\ noun

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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

CCS plants are expensive to build and maintain, and retrofitting the technology onto older plants requires an increase in power and costs.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "How Does Clean Coal Work?," 23 Aug. 2017
Light shelves, for example, are devices that are commonly retrofitted to the windows of buildings to reflect daylight deeper into an interior.

— kevin nute, Washington Post, "How to stay calmer, more alert and save the environment: Bring the weather indoors," 14 Aug. 2017
The core stage of NASA’s Space Launch System vehicle will use four RS-25 engines — relics from the space-shuttle program that are being retrofitted with new controllers that are smarter and lighter than past computers.

— samantha masunaga, The Seattle Times, "New generation of giant rockets gets set to blast off," 2 Aug. 2017
Birmingham council has pledged to spend up to £31m retrofitting its 213 tower blocks with sprinkler systems.

— The Economist, "After Grenfell, councils scramble to fireproof their buildings," 20 July 2017
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.

— paul page, WSJ, "Today’s Top Supply Chain and Logistics News From WSJ," 30 June 2017
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.

— dominic gates, The Seattle Times, "Veteran Boeing exec Fancher to retire this fall," 27 June 2017
Under current law, local governments are barred from requiring retrofitting before the end of 2019.

— jim saunders, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Gov. Scott vetoes bill easing fire-protection requirements for condos," 27 June 2017
The 35-year-old building will be retrofitted so more food can be distributed throughout the 13 counties served by the food bank.

— diane smith, star-telegram.com, "Tarrant Area Food Bank needs $500,000 to complete renovation work," 25 June 2017

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

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

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retrofit

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retrofit

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retrofit

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retrofit

Definition of retrofit

retrofit

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