retrain

verb

re·​train (ˌ)rē-ˈtrān How to pronounce retrain (audio)
retrained; retraining; retrains
Synonyms of retrainnext

transitive verb

: to train again or anew

intransitive verb

: to become trained again
retrainable
(ˌ)rē-ˈtrā-nə-bəl How to pronounce retrain (audio)
adjective

Examples of retrain in a Sentence

The organization retrains people who have lost their jobs. He is retraining for another job. He retrained as a mechanic.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Unitree’s robots remain less efficient than human workers and must be retrained from scratch for each new task, Wang said. — Anniek Bao,jenni Reid,jenny Lee, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 One demonstration, different robots Feagine also wants Fi0 to reduce the amount of retraining required when robots encounter unfamiliar tasks. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026 Bladder retraining, pelvic floor exercises, biofeedback, and medication might all be used to help treat urinary problems. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026 The organization retrained longtime zoo employees in modern animal-welfare practices and began improving the cats’ diets and medical care. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retrain

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of retrain was in 1856

Rhymes for retrain

See All Rhymes for retrain

Browse Nearby Words

retraict
retrain
retral
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retrain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrain. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

retrain

verb
re·​train rē-ˈtrān How to pronounce retrain (audio)
1
: to train again or anew
2
: to become retrained
retrainable
-ˈtrā-nə-bəl How to pronounce retrain (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on retrain

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for retrain

Nglish: Translation of retrain for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All