retread

1 of 3

verb (1)

re·​tread (ˌ)rē-ˈtred How to pronounce retread (audio)
retreaded; retreading

transitive verb

1
: to bond or vulcanize a new tread to the prepared surface of (a worn tire)
2
: to make over as if new
retread an old plot

retread

2 of 3

noun

re·​tread ˈrē-ˌtred How to pronounce retread (audio)
1
: a retreaded tire
2
: something made or done again especially in slightly altered form : remake
3
a
: one (such as a retired person) who is recalled or retrained for work
b
: one (such as an athlete) who has previously held the same or a similar position

re-tread

3 of 3

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈtred How to pronounce re-tread (audio)
re-trod (ˌ)rē-ˈträd How to pronounce re-tread (audio) ; re-trodden (ˌ)rē-ˈträ-dᵊn How to pronounce re-tread (audio) or re-trod; re-treading

transitive verb

: to tread again

Examples of retread in a Sentence

Noun The show is just another TV sitcom retread.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
This Star Fox retread looks pretty good and is worth your time. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 27 June 2026 But both songs retread ground Grande already covered. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026
Noun
Just ridiculous signing all of these retreads off the trash heap. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 13 Mar. 2026 Most of the videos are gentle teasing about the idiosyncrasies of working at a bar or retreads of other viral videos. — Lauren Chapman, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
With some re-tread in free agency? — Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025 The re-tread avoids Yakuza references and switches the protagonist from male to female, a woman who has lost her child. — Patrick Frater, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for retread

Word History

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retread was in 1605

Rhymes for retread

See All Rhymes for retread

Browse Nearby Words

retraverse
retread
re-tread
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retread. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

retread

1 of 2 verb
re·​tread (ˈ)rē-ˈtred How to pronounce retread (audio)
retreaded; retreading
1
: to put a new tread on (a worn tire)
2
: to make over as if new
retread an old plot

retread

2 of 2 noun
re·​tread ˈrē-ˌtred How to pronounce retread (audio)
1
: a retreaded tire
2
: something made or done again especially in a slightly altered form
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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