retrofit
verb
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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during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology.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
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Researchers, meanwhile, have studied the feasibility of retrofitting certain mid-range jets (like the Boeing 737-800, Airbus A320, ATR 72, and Embraer 190) with windowless designs and have reported some promising results.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
Autonomous boats, ships, submarines, and miscellaneous watercraft for naval service have been popping with a certain regularity in recent years, with many of them retrofitted into commercial hulls or built along the lines of conventional warships.
—New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025
To buy time, Scripps seems to be relying on safety in numbers, understanding that, while major investments have been made in building new or retrofitting existing California hospitals in recent decades, there are still plenty that will not be fully compliant by the deadline.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retrofit
Cite this Entry
“Retrofit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrofit. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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retrofit
verb
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