English Reference

Word

modernizing

Phoneticsmod·ern·iz·ing

/ˈmɑdɝˌnaɪzɪŋ/

UK spelling · modernising

Definition

v. making something newer, more up-to-date, or more efficient. You use this when you want to improve an old system or building so it works better today.

v. the present participle of 'modernize'; refers to the process of updating or improving something to meet current standards or needs. Often describes the renovation of infrastructure or the adoption of contemporary technology.

Examples

“The city is modernizing its public transport system.”

“The government is modernizing the national healthcare database to make it easier for doctors to share patient records.”

“By modernizing the factory's automation systems, the company managed to reduce its carbon footprint while simultaneously increasing its annual production capacity by thirty percent.”

Examples

simple

“The city is modernizing its public transport system.”

contextual

“The government is modernizing the national healthcare database to make it easier for doctors to share patient records.”

complex

“By modernizing the factory's automation systems, the company managed to reduce its carbon footprint while simultaneously increasing its annual production capacity by thirty percent.”

Real-World Examples

“Using popular foreign varieties is one way of modernising India's avocado industry.”
BBC News · 4 Sept 2026
“In Wednesday’s post, Tillis pointed to some of those efforts, questioning why Hegseth appeared fixated on culture war issues rather than modernising the military.”
Al Jazeera · 2 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference