upgrade

Universal Words verb [VN] [oftenpassive] 1 to make a piece of machinery, computer system, etc. more powerful and efficient 2 ~ sb (to sth) to give sb a more important job SYNPROMOTE 3 ~ sb (to sth) to give sb a better seat on a plane, room in a hotel, etc. than the one that they have paid for: On the flight back, we were upgraded to business class. 4 to improve the condition of a building, etc. in order to provide a better service: The money will enable us to upgrade the town's leisure facilities. * The towpath was upgraded for use by cyclists. compareDOWNGRADE upgrade noun: instructions for installing an upgrade to the existing system * Frequent flyers qualify for a free upgrade.