Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • intransitive verb To fit out (a factory, for example) with a new set of machinery and tools for making a different product.
  • intransitive verb To revise and reorganize, especially for the purpose of updating or improving.
  • intransitive verb To fit out a factory with a new set of machinery and tools.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb To adjust; optimize; to rebuild.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb provide (a workshop or factory) with new tools
  • verb revise or reorganize, especially for the purpose of updating and improving

Etymologies

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Examples

  • New director does retool, which is why they brought on a new director.

    The January Studio Roundabout Steve Hulett 2009

  • Judge James Zagel switched the trial to April 20 from January, saying he agreed with Blagojevich's attorneys that the sharply downsized defense team needed more time to "retool" its defense "in substance, tone and tenure" after jurors deadlocked on most counts during the first trial.

    Blagojevich Lawyers Want Retrial Delayed AP 2010

  • Judge James Zagel switched the trial to April 20 from January, saying he agreed with Blagojevich's attorneys that the sharply downsized defense team needed more time to "retool" its defense "in substance, tone and tenure" after jurors deadlocked on most counts during the first trial.

    Blagojevich Lawyers Want Retrial Delayed AP 2010

  • Successful companies and economies "retool" during downturns to boost future productivity.

    Gary Hirshberg: Let's Price Carbon Now, for Business' Sake 2010

  • Judge James Zagel switched the trial to April 20 from January, saying he agreed with Blagojevich's attorneys that the sharply downsized defense team needed more time to "retool" its defense "in substance, tone and tenure" after jurors deadlocked on most counts during the first trial.

    Blagojevich Lawyers Want Retrial Delayed The Huffington Post News Team 2010

  • WILLIS: Of course, you know, you can always kind of retool what you're doing.

    CNN Transcript Jun 6, 2009 2009

  • I do like the term 'retool', as it clearly implies that they were tools in the past, an will be tools again in the future.

    If there is an Obama landslide, how will the GOP retool? Ann Althouse 2008

  • If Obama truly is as far left as many think and his track record of choosing associates holds to any degree, his far-left, activist administration will 'retool' the United States.

    If there is an Obama landslide, how will the GOP retool? Ann Althouse 2008

  • I doubt the Republican Party can 'retool' Mayyyyybe if an Obama administration is a bomb, but I doubt it.

    53% think John McCain is going to win. Ann Althouse 2008

  • As we cruised through the hills above Silicon Valley, the company's strategy became perfectly clear: Tesla wanted to help "retool" the auto industry by getting people excited about cars again.

    Michael Brune: McCain's New Attack Ad Won't Stop Pain at the Pump 2008

Comments

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  • "The thrust of the plan is to electrify the country's road and rail transport systems as much as possible with a renewable-powered grid, and the use a residual of liquid biofuels to replace oil for range-extending and some off-road and agricultural uses. Thousands of kilometres of new light and heavy rail would be laid across major cities. Car manufacturers would retool to make electric cars locally."

    - Paddy Manning, , theage.com.au, 30 April 2011.

    April 30, 2011

  • Hurry! Thank me now and get in before marky!

    April 30, 2011

  • Thank you, bilby.

    April 30, 2011