retread

[ verb ree-tred; noun ree-tred ]
See synonyms for retread on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),re·tread·ed, re·tread·ing.
  1. to put a new tread on (a worn pneumatic tire casing) either by recapping or by cutting fresh treads in the smooth surface.

  2. to repeat or do over, especially without the boldness or inventiveness of the original.

noun
  1. a tire that has been retreaded.

  2. Slang. a person returned to active work after retirement, dismissal, etc.

  1. a person retrained for a new or more modern job or task.

  2. Informal. a repeating, reviving, or reworking of an old or familiar idea, presentation, story, etc., especially when unimaginative or hackneyed; rehash: a boring retread of a classic movie.

  3. Slang. a person representing older or previous times, ideas, policies, etc., especially when they are deemed passé or tiresome.

Origin of retread

1
First recorded in 1885–90; re- + tread

Words Nearby retread

Other definitions for re-tread (2 of 2)

re-tread
[ ree-tred ]

verb (used with or without object),re-trod, re-trod·den or re-trod, re-tread·ing.
  1. to tread again.

Origin of re-tread

2
First recorded in 1590–1600; re- + tread

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use retread in a sentence

  • The line was a retread from his speech in 2008, where he used an almost identical opener.

    Live from Right-Wing Central | John Avlon, Benjamin Sarlin | February 18, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Nor is his often-riveting new memoir an exercise in nostalgia, apologia, or retread rhetoric.

    The Accidental Radical | John Douglas Marshall | April 27, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • He turned, as these thoughts passed through his mind, and began hastily to retread his footsteps towards the castle.

    The Abbot | Sir Walter Scott
  • I was not insensible that my path became more intricate and more difficult to retread in proportion as I advanced.

    Edgar Huntley | Charles Brockden Brown
  • Well, would you walk into the Center for a retread now without being sure he's wrong?

    Martyr | Alan Edward Nourse
  • On examination we found that there was no outlet practicable for us in this channel, and that we must retread our steps.

  • McKenzie was getting old, he wanted a retread, and wanted it badly.

    Martyr | Alan Edward Nourse

British Dictionary definitions for retread (1 of 2)

retread

verb(riːˈtrɛd) -treads, -treading or -treaded
  1. (tr) another word for remould (def. 2)

noun(ˈriːˌtrɛd)
  1. another word for remould (def. 3)

  2. Australian and NZ informal a pensioner who has resumed employment, esp in a former profession

  1. a film, piece of music, etc, which is a superficially altered version of an earlier original

British Dictionary definitions for re-tread (2 of 2)

re-tread

/ (riːˈtrɛd) /


verb-treads, -treading, -trod, -trodden or -trod
  1. (tr) to tread or walk over (one's steps) again

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012