- (transitive) to equip (a vehicle, piece of equipment, etc) with new parts, safety devices, etc, after manufacture
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ret•ro•fit /ˈrɛtroʊˌfɪt,USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -fit•ted or -fit, -fit•ting.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to supply (an automobile, airplane, etc.) with parts available after manufacture:to retrofit the old airplane with new cannons.
ret•ro•fit
(v. re′trō fit′, re′trō fit′;n., adj. re′trō fit′),USA pronunciation v., -fit•ted or -fit, -fit•ting, n., adj.
v.t.
v.i.
n.
adj.
ret′ro•fit′ta•ble, adj.
v.t.
- to modify equipment (in airplanes, automobiles, a factory, etc.) that is already in service using parts developed or made available after the time of original manufacture.
- to install, fit, or adapt (a device or system) for use with something older:to retrofit solar heating to a poorly insulated house.
v.i.
- (of new or modified parts, equipment, etc.) to fit into or onto existing equipment.
- to replace existing parts, equipment, etc., with updated parts or systems.
n.
- something that has been retrofitted.
- an instance of updating, enlarging, etc., with new or modified equipment:A retrofit could save thousands of dollars.
adj.
- being or characterized by a retrofit:retrofit units.
- retro- + fit1
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
retrofit /ˈrɛtrəʊˌfɪt/ vb ( -fits, -fitting, -fitted)