retrofit

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

Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of retrofit

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

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

The defect remains in thousands of California buildings, structural engineers say, and most cities — with Los Angeles and Santa Monica as exceptions — do not require them to be retrofitted.

— ellis simani, latimes.com, "More than 800 West Hollywood buildings could collapse in a big quake," 3 May 2018
The shuttles were hauled away Monday to be retrofitted with the proper equipment, O’Grady said.

— lauren ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "What is this shuttle thingy of which you speak, Mount Dora?," 13 Apr. 2018
Honestly, all these explanations seem retrofitted to the available information. 6.

— chris chase, For The Win, "6 of the most-asked sports questions, answered," 18 Apr. 2018
Virgin America, a carrier launched by business magnate Richard Branson, will end next year when the logos and paint schemes on the Virgin planes are painted over and the interiors are retrofitted to resemble Alaska Airlines planes.

— hugo martin, latimes.com, "Alaska Airlines and Virgin America want your carry-on bags to be 32% smaller," 14 Apr. 2018
The rig was designed by Robert Johans, who started restoring and retrofitting campers in 2006 out of a Bend, Ore., shop named the Egg Plant.

— Bloomberg.com, "Airstream Sheds Its Metal With the New ‘Nest’," 12 Apr. 2018
Some fire-safety advocates in 1999 pushed for a requirement that older apartment buildings be retrofitted with sprinklers, but officials in the administration of then-mayor Rudy Giuliani said that would be too expensive.

— dom calicchio, Fox News, "Trump Tower 'well built,' but lacks sprinklers on upper floors, FDNY commissioner says," 8 Apr. 2018
And retrofitting each pumping station wouldn't be cheap or easy.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Only one of Louisville's 16 Ohio River flood pump stations will work if the power goes out," 6 Apr. 2018
But acquiring and retrofitting these vehicles has been a laborious process.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "Why it’s time for Uber to get out of the self-driving car business," 27 Mar. 2018

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

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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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