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during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology.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

An additional 404 buildings are in the process of retrofitting. —Sandhya Kambhampati, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2024

It’s become common, Timmins said, to see cars speeding down the streets, and about half the fences have been built or retrofitted to sit flush against the ground. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 17 June 2024

The emerging world leader in climate tech could soon be Massachusetts, experts say About three dozen homes and businesses in Framingham will be retrofitted to have the structures obtain their cooling and heating from the network. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 June 2024

After doing a bit of research, the pair bought an old hot dog cart and retrofitted it for tacos. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

retrofit

verb

ret·​ro·​fit ˈre-trō-ˌfit 

: to install (new or modified parts or equipment) in something previously manufactured or constructed