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

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

"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

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

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

“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

Features inherited from aquatic ancestors were retained, repurposed, simplified, and eventually lost as insects became increasingly adapted to terrestrial life.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026

The couple also repurposed family rings for their wedding rings.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

Watching Banderas spend a day simmering his own handcrafted ketchup simply to store it in repurposed Heinz bottles says everything about the guy’s devotion to food and his indifference toward marketing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Vallejo City Unified board Trustee John Fox said the district was pleased to see the former school campus repurposed for early childhood, providing a much-needed service.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

He placed a cushion on the operating table, which was really just a desk repurposed from the former school, and I laid the bonobo down on it.

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer

His company is rapidly repurposing its fleet of space-based data centers, once designed to avoid high energy costs on earth, to provide digital support for the robot population of the former People’s Republic of China.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

"Additionally, our study suggests potential therapeutic opportunities to expedite this process, such as repurposing drugs like SGLT2 inhibitors, which have shown promise in reducing inflammation and promoting immune-mediated clearance of senescent cells in obesity."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 2, 2026

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

China’s quick-commerce market, repurposing food-delivery networks for rapid urban retail, is projected to reach $126.7 billion by 2029.

From Barron's ● May 23, 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