upgraded; upgrading; upgrades
: to raise or improve the grade of: such as
a
: to improve (livestock) by use of purebred sires
b
: to advance to a job requiring a higher level of skill especially as part of a training program
c
: to raise the quality of
d
: to raise the classification and usually the price of without improving the quality
e
: to extend the usefulness of (something, such as a device)
f
: to assign a less serious status to
upgraded the patient's condition to good
: to replace something (such as software or an electronic device) with a more useful version or alternative
Upgrading to a new operating system can make people anxious, even under the best of circumstances.—
Macworld
Macworld
Synonyms
Examples of upgrade in a Sentence
Noun
a slight upgrade in the roadway
The hotel offered us a room upgrade.
Verb
This course will help you to upgrade your computer skills.
They've upgraded the quality of their service.
The city is upgrading the sewage treatment plant.
The office is upgrading the telephone system.
They upgraded the hotel to attract more business patrons.
We were able to upgrade to first class.
We had reserved a double room, but the hotel upgraded us to a suite.
Recent Examples on the WebSally French Of Nerdwallet, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
My seat near the front of business class was an Elements suite, a new pod design by Rockwell Collins that’s an upgrade from business-class seating on other airlines, claiming more storage, a large footwell, and USB-C charging, wireless charging pads, and Bluetooth capabilities.
—Rachel Dube, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
Following the fallout of the thievery, the group gave free steering wheel locks, ignition cylinder protectors, and software and hardware upgrades for car owners who lacked an anti-theft engine immobilizer.
—Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2024
That includes nearly $1.8 million to sketch out a new Purple Line rail service between employment centers north of Interstate 8 and communities to the south and $1.9 million for express trolley service on the Blue Line and upgrades to the San Ysidro Transit Center.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
The next feature drop for Google Pixel will bring a surprise upgrade for the Pixel 8: Gemini Nano.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
This pitcher from County Line Kitchen has a mason jar design just like Grandma used to make sun tea, but with some convenient upgrades.
—Molly Allen, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
New England would have additional draft capital and Sutton would be an upgrade at wide receiver.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2024
On April 2, Jackson County residents will decide whether to approve a 3/8-cent sales tax that would fund a new stadium for the Royals and provide upgrades at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2024
Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
After that earthquake, authorities mandated stricter construction codes and programs to upgrade old buildings — efforts that experts say have helped keep the death toll relatively low.
—Vic Chiang, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Following the devastating 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, the country significantly upgraded much of its infrastructure.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Millions of PCs can’t upgrade officially to Windows 11 due to more strict hardware requirements and Microsoft’s security push with its latest OS.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
But other owners are upgrading property to the benefit of all, said Reyna Vangilder, chair of the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative.
—The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Just 1,813 cars have upgraded to the latest version of FSD, according to a third-party estimate.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2024
In addition, Duncan Robinson has been upgraded to probable for Sunday’s game after missing the last five games with a back issue.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2024
Utilities may need to upgrade distribution lines, transformers and other equipment to deliver the energy needed to refuel several trucks simultaneously.
—Jack Ewing, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
Through the end of 2024, the hotel is running a promotion for free valet parking and a room upgrade.
—Sally French Of Nerdwallet, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
My seat near the front of business class was an Elements suite, a new pod design by Rockwell Collins that’s an upgrade from business-class seating on other airlines, claiming more storage, a large footwell, and USB-C charging, wireless charging pads, and Bluetooth capabilities.
—Rachel Dube, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
Following the fallout of the thievery, the group gave free steering wheel locks, ignition cylinder protectors, and software and hardware upgrades for car owners who lacked an anti-theft engine immobilizer.
—Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2024
That includes nearly $1.8 million to sketch out a new Purple Line rail service between employment centers north of Interstate 8 and communities to the south and $1.9 million for express trolley service on the Blue Line and upgrades to the San Ysidro Transit Center.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
The next feature drop for Google Pixel will bring a surprise upgrade for the Pixel 8: Gemini Nano.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
This pitcher from County Line Kitchen has a mason jar design just like Grandma used to make sun tea, but with some convenient upgrades.
—Molly Allen, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
New England would have additional draft capital and Sutton would be an upgrade at wide receiver.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2024
On April 2, Jackson County residents will decide whether to approve a 3/8-cent sales tax that would fund a new stadium for the Royals and provide upgrades at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for the Chiefs.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
Hackman Capital announced a $1.25-billion plan two years ago to expand and upgrade facilities on the lot at Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue in hopes of harnessing strong demand in the region for soundstages, production facilities and offices for rent on studio lots.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
After that earthquake, authorities mandated stricter construction codes and programs to upgrade old buildings — efforts that experts say have helped keep the death toll relatively low.
—Vic Chiang, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Following the devastating 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, the country significantly upgraded much of its infrastructure.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Millions of PCs can’t upgrade officially to Windows 11 due to more strict hardware requirements and Microsoft’s security push with its latest OS.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
But other owners are upgrading property to the benefit of all, said Reyna Vangilder, chair of the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative.
—The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
Just 1,813 cars have upgraded to the latest version of FSD, according to a third-party estimate.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 1 Apr. 2024
In addition, Duncan Robinson has been upgraded to probable for Sunday’s game after missing the last five games with a back issue.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2024
Utilities may need to upgrade distribution lines, transformers and other equipment to deliver the energy needed to refuel several trucks simultaneously.
—Jack Ewing, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'upgrade.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1901, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Dictionary Entries Near upgrade
Cite this Entry
“Upgrade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upgrade. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
upgrade
1 of 2 noun
up·grade
ˈəp-ˌgrād 
1
: an upward grade or slope
2
: rise entry 2 sense 4
crime has been on the upgrade
1
: to raise to a higher grade or position
2
: to improve or replace especially software or a device for increased usefulness
Medical Definition
upgrade
transitive verb
up·grade
ˈəp-ˌgrād, ˌəp-ˈ
upgraded; upgrading
1
: to assign a less serious status to
upgraded the patient's condition from fair to good
2
: to reclassify (as a cancer, concussion, or bone fracture) to a more serious grade when the grades are numbered from least to most serious
More from Merriam-Webster on upgrade
Nglish: Translation of upgrade for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of upgrade for Arabic Speakers
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