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during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology.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

Local lighting ordinances cut down on light pollution, and residents can even receive financial assistance to retrofit lighting fixtures. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026

Local ordinances reduce light pollution, and residents can receive financial assistance to retrofit lighting fixtures. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026

In many ways, the workplace is trying to retrofit skills that were never systematically built. —Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026

But retrofitting the Warriors to be viable moving forward makes for an honorable lasting imprint. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for retrofit

• candlelit
• counterfeit
• hypocrite
• resubmit
• acquit
• admit
• armpit
• backlit
• befit
• cockpit
• commit
• dalit

Kids Definition

retrofit

verb

ret·​ro·​fit ˈre-trō-ˌfit 

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