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.

---

Etymology

Origin of repurpose

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

---

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

The ceramicist also said there were a lot of derelict chapels across Wales and "we need to repurpose these buildings and give them a new lease of life".

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 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

Autobiographical details suggest that Mr. Gasda almost certainly wrote these journal entries independently and then designed the novel so that he could repurpose them for publication.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

I dismantled my sleeping nest to repurpose its branches and hewed off additional ones from nearby trees.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

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

From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2026

According to the listing, the enormous space could also be repurposed into a boxing gym, basketball court, or another recreational facility, providing a future owner with an opportunity to customize the property.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026

That raises the possibility that medications acting on the same pathway might eventually be repurposed to address oligodendrocyte dysfunction and age-related cognitive decline.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 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

They tell a miniature story: In the first, a tram has just arrived, a streetcar, repurposed for these transports.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

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

“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

A huge union jack artwork has been created by repurposing discarded flags from unauthorised lamp-post displays as a message of "unity".

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

"This suggests that repurposing medications that augment the function of dopamine-releasing neurons, including dopamine precursors and inhibitors of dopamine metabolism, could be a promising approach."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

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

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• reuse

---