re-equip
C1/C2Formal/Technical
Definition
Meaning
to provide with new equipment or tools again, especially after a period of use or to meet a new need.
To modernize, refurbish, or upgrade the resources, skills, or systems of an entity (person, team, organization) for a new phase or challenge.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A prefixal verb (re- + equip) indicating repetition or restoration. Implies a prior state of being equipped and a specific process of updating or replacing. Often used in institutional, military, or technical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The hyphen is more consistently used in British English (re-equip). In American English, the closed form 'reequip' is equally or more common, though both forms are understood.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties: systemic upgrading, often with financial or logistical implications.
Frequency
Low-frequency in both varieties, but slightly more prevalent in British English due to hyphenation conventions for 're-' verbs.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] re-equips [Object] (with [Instrument])[Subject] is re-equipped (with [Instrument])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board approved the capital expenditure to re-equip the production line with automated robotics.
Academic
The research grant will allow the university to re-equip its ageing physics laboratory.
Everyday
After the flood, we had to completely re-equip the kitchen.
Technical
The regiment was re-equipped with the latest generation of encrypted communication devices.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The charity aims to re-equip the community centre with energy-efficient appliances.
- After the merger, the entire sales force will be re-equipped.
American English
- The city council voted to reequip all public libraries with new computers.
- The team was reequipped with state-of-the-art software.
adverb
British English
- [Standard form 're-equip' does not have a common adverbial derivative.]
American English
- [Standard form 'reequip' does not have a common adverbial derivative.]
adjective
British English
- The re-equipped facility opened to great acclaim.
- A newly re-equipped ambulance service.
American English
- The reequipped factory saw a 30% productivity gain.
- Reequipped soldiers were deployed to the region.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The school will re-equip the computer room.
- The company spent millions to re-equip its main factory with new machines.
- The strategic initiative involves not just training personnel but comprehensively re-equipping the entire logistical infrastructure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RE-dress for the job.' Just as you RE-dress in new clothes, you RE-equip with new tools.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATIONS ARE BODIES / TOOLS ARE LIMBS. Re-equipping is like healing, strengthening, or grafting new limbs onto an organizational body to restore or enhance its functional capacity.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'повторно экипировать' (sounds like putting the same old kit on again). Use 'переоснастить' or 'заново оснастить'.
- Do not confuse with 'requisite' (необходимый).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'reequipp' (double p).
- Using without an object (e.g., 'We need to re-equip' is acceptable, but 'We need to re-equip the office' is clearer).
- Confusing with 're-equilibrate'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 're-equip' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Repair' means to fix something that is broken. 'Re-equip' means to provide new or different equipment, which may involve replacement rather than repair.
In British English, yes (re-equip). In American English, the hyphen is often omitted (reequip). Follow the style guide of your intended audience.
Yes, but typically in a professional or institutional role (e.g., 're-equip a teacher with new classroom technology,' 're-equip a soldier'). It is less common for purely personal possessions.
Re-equipment (often hyphenated in UK English) or reequipment (more common in US English).