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. )

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

"One potential future direction is to repurpose these drugs to target overactivation of glial cells and perhaps reverse some of the phenotypes in tauopathies"

From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026

The federal Bureau of Land Management released documents Thursday saying the company’s plan to repurpose 162 miles of the pipeline to transport water “will not significantly affect” the environment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

Essentially, the auto maker will repurpose battery capacity once destined for EVs into backup power packs for utilities and data centers.

From Barron's ● May 28, 2026

Historic England ran a four-year programme to repurpose derelict and underused buildings as community spaces such as cinemas and market halls, and run cultural events, while in Walsall a £1.5bn regeneration project is planned.

From BBC ● May 2, 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

Manchester United insist that revoked season tickets will be repurposed as new ones for supporters on the waiting list.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

Working in food, my office is quite literally the kitchen: I write at a repurposed steel prep table, with my laptop on top and Dutch ovens stored below, that sits directly beside the stove.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

The work may also help researchers identify existing drugs that could be repurposed for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias driven by tau.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026

In those solo presentations, Usha Seejarim’s conceptual sculptures and wall works examined gender and sexuality through repurposed objects, and Mmangaliso Nzuza’s biographical paintings infused Western art history with African trends.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 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

The Bureau of Land Management said in its authorization that repurposing the pipeline for water “would comply with all applicable statutes and regulations.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

Ford is repurposing battery production that it expected to use for its electric vehicles, because EV sales have slowed.

From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026

“It is a true repurposing of excess battery cell capacity,” said James Picariello, head of U.S. autos research at BNP Paribas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026

"We have learned things from the pandemic, particularly around the benefit of repurposing known drugs to treat infections," she said.

From BBC ● May 14, 2026

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

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Related Words

• reuse