retrofitted or retrofit; retrofitting; retrofits
Synonyms of retrofit

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

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during World War II, when weapons technology was advancing at an intense pace and planes and ships were becoming outdated even before their construction was complete, and the only solution was to retrofit the completed craft with the brand-new technology.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
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 press coverage essentially retrofitted 1692 with the anxieties of 1976, recasting the Salem girls as teenagers on a bad trip. — Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026 The sleek, low-profile hubs, retrofitted to the top of the pole, can host several attachments, including sensors that alert if the streetlamp falls or, in some cases, the Flock Safety Falcon cameras that have stirred controversy over surveillance. — Sophia Lebowitz, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Therefore, retrofitting Stormwater ponds and infrastructure are key to assisting older parts of town from flooding. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 Marginal Gain That said, the current version is thick enough that it can't simply be retrofitted onto existing frames. — New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retrofit

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retrofit was in 1949

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Cite this Entry

“Retrofit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrofit. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

retrofit

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

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