retread

1 of 3

verb (1)

re·​tread (ˌ)rē-ˈtred 

retreaded; retreading

transitive verb

1

: to bond or vulcanize a new tread to the prepared surface of (a worn tire)

2

: to make over as if new

retread an old plot

retread

2 of 3

noun

re·​tread ˈrē-ˌtred 

1

: a retreaded tire

2

: something made or done again especially in slightly altered form : remake

3

a

: one (such as a retired person) who is recalled or retrained for work

b

: one (such as an athlete) who has previously held the same or a similar position

re-tread

3 of 3

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈtred 

re-trod (ˌ)rē-ˈträd  ; re-trodden (ˌ)rē-ˈträ-dᵊn  or re-trod; re-treading

transitive verb

: to tread again

Examples of retread in a Sentence

Noun

The show is just another TV sitcom retread.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

After the movie premiered at the Venice Film Festival, many critics panned the film, arguing Gaga was underused and that Phillips spent too much time retreading territory from the original. —Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 6 Oct. 2024

Later in the year, Mars will yawn and retread his steps first in Leo from Dec. 6 through Jan. 6, 2026 — but will once again be summoned beneath the waves of Cancer in a retrograde motion from then until Feb. 23, 2025. —Kyle Thomas, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2024

Noun

But the new stage show isn’t just a retread of professional highlights and clever punchlines. —Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

Although Liam Neeson knows how to demand a screen, no matter what’s on the page, his latest film Absolution feels like a retread of the same old deadbeat-dad-tries-to-redeem-himself-before-it’s-too-late plot, as the title might suggest. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024

Verb

The re-tread avoids Yakuza references and switches the protagonist from male to female, a woman who has lost her child. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024

That familiar setup doesn’t mean the record is a re-tread of familiar territory, though, as Stapleton is looser, bolder and surer of himself, a recipe making this his best project yet. —Brittney McKenna, SPIN, 10 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1605, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

retread

1 of 2 verb

re·​tread (ˈ)rē-ˈtred 

retreaded; retreading

1

: to put a new tread on (a worn tire)

2

: to make over as if new

retread an old plot

retread

2 of 2 noun

re·​tread ˈrē-ˌtred 

1

: a retreaded tire

2

: something made or done again especially in a slightly altered form