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during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology.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

In recent years, thieves have pulled off elaborate heists of rare, million-dollar collectible cars, sometimes smuggling them out of their country of origin, retrofitting them with fake paperwork, and reselling them on the international market. —Stayton Bonner, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2025

The airport is in the middle of a $2.6 billion Terminal 3 West Modernization, adding 200,000 square feet and new concessions while retrofitting for seismic safety, with completion set for 2027. —Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

That cost would be cut nearly in half if Ford retrofitted the truck to meet federal efficiency standards it was required to follow by 2031. —Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025

It can also be retrofitted to existing grease management systems. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Aug. 2025

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