Link Centre Dictionary

retrofit

ret·ro·fit

UK/ˌɹɛtɹəʊˈfɪt/ US/ˈɹɛtɹə(ʊ)ˌfɪt/ uncommon
noun (2) verb (3)

noun

1.
2.

the act of adding a component or accessory to something that did not have it when it was manufactured

  • “the court ordered a retrofit on all automobiles”

verb

1.

provide with parts, devices, or equipment not available or in use at the time of the original manufacture

  • “They car companies retrofitted all the old models with new carburetors”
2.

fit in or on an existing structure, such as an older house

  • “The mansion was retrofitted with modern plumbing”
3.

substitute new or modernized parts or equipment for older ones

  • “The laboratory retrofitted to meet the safety codes”

Origin

The verb is derived from retro- (prefix meaning ‘back; backward’) + fit (“to equip, supply”). The noun, which is first attested later than the verb, is either derived: * from the verb (see above); or * from retro- + fit (“act of fitting; conformity of elements one to another”).

Phrases

  • seismic retrofit

Related words

Broader terms

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.