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during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology.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

According to the Associated Press, the second round’s cut comes out to roughly 36 percent if retrofitted to past spending. —Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

For its part, Singapore has been aggressively retrofitted according to the whims of capital—its coastline expanded, its graveyards exhumed and paved over, its landmarks destroyed—leaving the populace disoriented. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

The cost to install sprinklers in a new build could cost roughly 2% of the cost to build a home and double that to retrofit a home. —Jonah Kaplan, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

Walmart is currently retrofitting 42 regional distribution centers with automation technology, with those plans set for a 2030 completion date. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 20 Nov. 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