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during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology.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

Funded by a $5-million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the idea is to get homeowners to retrofit now, before the next devastating earthquake. —Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

One solution may be retrofitting cargo ships with giant, vertical winglike sails capable of harnessing wind power as its main energy source. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2024

Although new build developments may grab headlines for their green certifications and innovative designs, retrofitting existing buildings is where the greatest emissions reduction impact can be achieved. —Felicia Jackson, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

According to Bloomberg, the capital costs tied to retrofitting cement plants could be significant. —Deena Zaidi, Quartz, 24 Sep. 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