retrain

verb

re·​train (ˌ)rē-ˈtrān How to pronounce retrain (audio)
retrained; retraining; retrains
Synonyms of retrainnext

transitive verb

: to train again or anew

intransitive verb

: to become trained again
retrainable
(ˌ)rē-ˈtrā-nə-bəl How to pronounce retrain (audio)
adjective

Examples of retrain in a Sentence

The organization retrains people who have lost their jobs. He is retraining for another job. He retrained as a mechanic.
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.
The bill aims to lower the retirement age from 57 to 55 and give unions more room to negotiate pensions, supporters say the bill would help California and local governments hire and retrain these employees. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 The money raised by the taxes would then help fund worker retraining and strengthen social safety nets for people whose employment or income is affected. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026 This allows the robot to adapt its existing skills without retraining or fine-tuning the underlying policy. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 In the wake of those suits, the county instituted various reforms — including retraining officers and using body cameras. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retrain

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of retrain was in 1856

Rhymes for retrain

See All Rhymes for retrain

Browse Nearby Words

retraict
retrain
retral
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrain. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

retrain

verb
re·​train rē-ˈtrān How to pronounce retrain (audio)
1
: to train again or anew
2
: to become retrained
retrainable
-ˈtrā-nə-bəl How to pronounce retrain (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on retrain

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for retrain

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