rename

verb

re·​name (ˌ)rē-ˈnām How to pronounce rename (audio)
renamed; renaming

transitive verb

: to give (someone or something) a new name
renamed the street in honor of the late mayor
… a 16-year-old who left the Orthodox life a year ago. He has renamed himself Adam to cement the break …Ron Kampeas
The program was actually a relatively simple … script that renames files on your hard drive …Michael J. Miller

Examples of rename in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In recognition of the gift, the department has been renamed the Taylor Family Department of Neurosurgery. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 More than Words The debate over renaming species names that have ethical issues is not simply about words. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 12 Dec. 2024 Once Upon a Deadpool, a PG-13 cut of Deadpool 2 released for the holidays in 2018, offered a portion of its ticket sales to the charity F--- Cancer — or, as it was renamed at the time, Fudge Cancer. EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024 The audio show was eventually renamed Unashamed with the Robertson Family in early 2024. Nicole Briese, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rename 

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rename was in 1579

Dictionary Entries Near rename

Cite this Entry

“Rename.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rename. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

rename

verb
re·​name
(ˈ)rē-ˈnām
: to give a new name to
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!