retrofit.
To supply (a device, structure, etc.) with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; to modernize.
Meaning & usage
To supply (a device, structure, etc.) with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; to modernize.
To add or substitute (new components or parts) that were not previously available for or installed in a device, structure, etc.
Synonym of backport (“to retroactively supply a fix or feature to a previous version of a software product at the same time or after supplying it to the current version.”).
The bug was so bad that we had to retrofit our patch to the last three releases, as well as the newest release.
To give new characteristics or make alterations (to someone or something) to suit them to changed circumstances.
To supply a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed.
Where this word comes from
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”).
An act of supplying a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; a retrofitting.
A change made to a device, structure, etc., by introducing components or parts that were not previously available or installed.
Where this word comes from
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”).
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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.
Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.