retrofit

verb

ret·​ro·​fit ˈre-trō-ˌfit How to pronounce retrofit (audio)
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during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology.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 The San Diego Association of Governments, the region’s transportation planning agency, plans to spend $78 million to retrofit existing stabilization structures and install new ones, including more of the concrete-and-steel support columns sunk deep into the upper bluffs. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 Several intersections have been retrofitted to accommodate drivers doing so. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Feb. 2024 The report recommends retrofitting the facility and preparing for possible future mass-casualty events. Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 5 Feb. 2024 Rather than pay to retrofit their dams with fish ladders, the utility opted for removal. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2024 Thirty years later, retrofitting work continues in L.A. and other SoCal cities. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2024 One was retrofitted with a snow blower on the front to break up the high level of snow present on the mountain, and the other would transport a second crew of rescuers once the first had cleared a path. Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024 In the 21st century, engineers retrofitted LEP’s tunnel into today’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC). IEEE Spectrum, 17 Feb. 2024 Last year, the space was retrofitted with carpets, soft sofas and poufs, wide velvet curtains and disco balls hanging above a dance floor. Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024

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

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retrofit was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near retrofit

Cite this Entry

“Retrofit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrofit. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

retrofit

verb
ret·​ro·​fit ˈre-trō-ˌfit How to pronounce retrofit (audio)
: to install (new or modified parts or equipment) in something previously manufactured or constructed

More from Merriam-Webster on retrofit

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