retool

verb

re·​tool (ˌ)rē-ˈtül How to pronounce retool (audio)
retooled; retooling; retools

transitive verb

1
: to reequip with tools
2
3

intransitive verb

: to make especially minor changes or improvements
retool for the future

Examples of retool in a Sentence

The factory has been retooled. The company is retooling its sales strategies. The company is retooling for the future.
Recent Examples on the Web Marvel meanwhile is retooling in response to their stumbles in theaters and on streaming, and 2024 is already expected to deliver precisely the sort of box office and critical/audience reactions that put the MCU right back on track when Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters July 26th. Mark Hughes, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Since the blowout, the planemaker and airframe supplier Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. have increased quality checks on the 737, and sought to retool their collaboration to reduce errors. Ryan Beene, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2024 After his initial bill failed last year, Jones retooled the measure to narrow the areas where the camping ban could be enforced. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2024 Coach Brenda Villa’s squad retooled with several returners and the emergence of goalie Kyla Pranajaya and utility Jailynn Robinson. Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2024 Democracy activists retooled the movement into a vast civil volunteer network. Itay Stern, Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2024 Following mounting political pressure and declining government investments, the DARE program was retooled. Taylor Scott, The Conversation, 17 Jan. 2024 While Space: 1999 was retooled somewhat for its second season, adding Catherine Schell as shapeshifting science officer Maya, the series shows exactly what '70s sci-fi was like in the pre-Star Wars era. Will Harris, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2023 The good news is that retooling your return policy isn’t hard. Brandon Batchelor, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retool.' 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

1917, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retool was in 1917

Dictionary Entries Near retool

Cite this Entry

“Retool.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retool. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

retool

verb
re·​tool (ˈ)rē-ˈtül How to pronounce retool (audio)
1
: to equip again with new or different tools
retool a factory
2
: to make changes or improvements to
retool that idea

More from Merriam-Webster on retool

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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