Refactor

noun, verb

noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1
The process by which source code is refactored.
"We don't have time for a major refactor: we're shipping in two weeks."

Verb

1
To rewrite existing source code in order to improve its readability, reusability or structure without affecting its meaning or behaviour.
"The code works, but I must refactor it before it is production quality."
2
To rewrite existing text in order to improve its readability, reusability or structure without intentionally affecting its meaning. Similar to, but sometimes involving more extensive restructuring than, copy editing.
"Two significant activities which to contribute to community projects, such as Wikipedia, are to refactor complicated articles into simpler ones, and to refactor duplicated content into reusable templates."

Example

"The code works, but I must refactor it before it is production quality."

Etymology

From re- + factor.

Related phrases

copy edit source code

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.