retrofit
RET-roh-fit
/ˈret.rəʊ.fɪt/
Add a component or feature to something that did not have it when it was made.
Focuses on adding new technology, energy systems, or structural supports to an older structure.
The story behind the word. Coined during World War II in the aviation industry to describe modifying operational aircraft with newly developed radar and weaponry that were unavailable during original manufacturing.
Word relationships
- upgrade: General term for replacing or improving components, not necessarily adding retrofitted parts.
- modify: Broader term meaning to alter or change, without specifying adding new tech.
- strip: To remove equipment, fixtures, or components from a structure.
Commonly confused with
- refurbish: Refurbish means to redecorate, clean, and repair; retrofit means adding new technology or hardware that wasn't there original.
Word family
- retrofitting (noun): The process of modifying a machine or building with new parts.
Collocations
- seismic retrofit
- retrofit old buildings
- energy retrofit
- retrofit with sensors
Example sentences
- "Engineers plan to retrofit older bridges with seismic shock absorbers to withstand earthquakes." Engineering
- "The city offered incentives for landlords to retrofit residential properties with solar panels." Sustainability
Memory hook
RETRO (past) FIT (fit new gear): Fitting modern gear into past structures. New tech inside old walls.
When not to use
Do not use when simply painting or cleaning a building without introducing new technology or structural features.
Fun facts
- Seismic retrofitting saved dozens of major overpasses during the 1994 Northridge earthquake in California.
Related words
Explore more words
modernize, trade-off, renovation, upcycle, reinforced, reform
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