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during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology.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

Airport staff dedicated hundreds of hours over the past year to retrofit nearly 200 light fixtures and overhaul lighting programming to meet strict criteria for responsible outdoor lighting. —Valerie Stimac, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

Trump struck a deal with Boeing in his first term to retrofit two 747s to serve as the next Air Force One aircraft. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 1 May 2025

The original hasn't been erased but retrofitted for a new crowd and a new form. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025

In the last five years, SpaceX has launched hundreds of operational spy satellites and more recently several prototypes, which could be retrofitted to be used for the project, the sources said. —Mike Stone and Marisa Taylor, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for retrofit

• candlelit
• counterfeit
• hypocrite
• monazite
• resubmit
• acquit
• admit
• amrit
• armpit
• backlit
• befit
• cockpit

Kids Definition

retrofit

verb

ret·​ro·​fit ˈre-trō-ˌfit 

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