repurpose

American  

[ree-pur-puhs] / ˌriˈpɜr pəs /

verb (used with object)

repurposed, repurposing

1. to adapt or utilize (something) for a new purpose.

   The objective is to create affordable housing by repurposing abandoned commercial properties.

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Etymology

Origin of repurpose

First recorded in 1980–85; re- ( def. ) + purpose ( def. )

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Explanation

When you repurpose something, you use it again in an entirely new way. You might decide to repurpose rinsed-out yogurt containers to grow flower seedlings on your windowsill. When you adapt anything to a new function, you repurpose it, from the newspaper you repurpose to line your hamster's cage to the old tablet your dad has repurposed for reading recipes in the kitchen while he cooks. In technology, this verb is often used for information that's used again in updated formats. The word first appeared around 1983, from re-, "anew," and purpose, "to have as an objective or intention."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

repurpose repurposed repurposing

Counterintuitively, this means that organizations like Cornerstone can repurpose older silicon manufacturing equipment used for earlier generations of processors.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

One class of companies that stands to benefit from the crunch are powered shell providers, or companies that can repurpose their power grids to build data centers.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026

Our own A.I. policy preference is that the government should unplug it, then repurpose gigantic data centers into the biggest Chili’s franchises you’ve ever seen.

From Slate ● Sep. 12, 2026

And they would be far harder for the president to repurpose as leverage in an unrelated trade fight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

“I just remember the classic Roach Motel slogan that, apparently, the poster is attempting to repurpose for a Latinx audience. Catch you later, Kojo!”

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

The agency repurposed material originally developed for World Toilet Day, which falls on Nov. 19.

From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2026

Although the room has since been repurposed, architectural features associated with its former use remain.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 19, 2026

A previous planning application lodged with Leeds City Council which has since lapsed proposed the site could be repurposed into a hotel, restaurant and car park.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Currently occupying a repurposed warehouse near the farmers market, the museum is set to move to a new site with twice the gallery space in 2029.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 27, 2026

I turned back now to watch her walking behind me, red printed fabric over her nose and mouth, a rifle slung on her slender back with a sling crafted from repurposed seatbelts.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

The couple are about half way through their renovations, which have included repurposing the Sunday school room as a pottery studio, and he said they hoped to recruit local apprentices to boost the local economy.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

Guido Broekhoven from nature conservation organisation WWF International told AFP that repurposing subsidies must be "a matter of priority" at COP17.

From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026

In Senegal, fishmeal has put local fishers out of work, so they increasingly are selling — or repurposing — their boats to ferry migrants to Spain’s Canary Islands, a stepping stone to Europe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

“It took us a month to figure it out, repurposing and modifying equipment we had,” said Le.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

They had very little, but that wasn’t immediately obvious: Mia was good at repurposing.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

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Related Words

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