tune-up

noun

ˈtün-ˌəp 

ˈtyün-

1

: a general adjustment to ensure operation at peak efficiency

an engine tune-up

2

: a preliminary trial : warm-up

Examples of tune-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Either way, the Panthers and Lightning spent more time in the weeds dealing with hijinks over the past two games — a 5-2 Lightning win on Thursday in Tampa and a 7-0 Panthers win on Saturday in Sunrise — than actually getting meaningful reps in their final tune-ups before the regular season. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025

For a more comprehensive mind-body tune-up, guests can opt for a multi-day Paths to Wellbeing program, which targets specific ailments, such as insomnia. —Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025

Why waste your Saturday getting a tune-up for your RAV4 when a driverless Waymo doesn’t need a chaperone? —Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025

Sixteen days later, Palencia was able to return to game action, getting a pair of tune-up outings, but was no longer the team’s closer. —Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tune-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

tune-up

noun

ˈt(y)ü-ˌnəp

: a general adjustment to get everything in good working order

an engine tune-up