upgrade

/ʌpˈgreɪd/ verb [T]

Definition

› to improve something so that it works better or is more effective: It's quite simple to upgrade the indexing software. All the entrances to the building have been upgraded with ramps and handrails.

› IT to get new computers or other equipment that is better than you had before: So much of our business is now online we had to upgrade our entire system. The network is being upgraded.

› HR to give a person a more important job or to state that their job is more important than it was before: upgrade sb to sth Congratulations, I hear you've been upgraded to divisional manager. → Compare downgrade verb

› FINANCE to state that something such as a company is likely to produce more profit or growth, to be better able to pay back debt, etc. than was previously thought: upgrade a forecast/outlook/expectation Analysts had hoped to upgrade their earnings forecasts for the group.upgrade a rating/status The retailer's stock hit a 52-week high after Morgan Stanley upgraded its rating on the company. → Compare downgrade verb

› TRANSPORT to get better travel arrangements than you originally paid for: upgrade sth (from sth) to sth Our plane tickets were upgraded to business class. We will upgrade your rental car from mid-size to full-size.

(Definition of upgrade verb from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Focus on the pronunciation of upgrade