The Worthens sighed with relief as the engine began its night of upgrade chugging.1931, Journal of the Outdoor Life, volume 28, page 303:
2
An improved component or replacement item, usually applied to technology.
Near-synonym: option
With my phone company, I get a free upgrade every twelve months if I keep topping up 10 pounds a month.
1 more example
The three dots next to each gadget show how many upgrades have been purchased.2008, “PDA”, in Cory in the House: Instruction Booklet, Burbank, California: Disney Interactive Studios; Nintendo, page 11:
3
An improvement.
The remarried couples among my friends often joke that their divorce and remarriage amounted to an upgrade.
"When we're finished in 2024, this upgrade programme will provide a much-improved railway between London Waterloo and Portsmouth," said NR's Wessex Route Director Mark Killick.2022 January 12, “Network News: Portsmouth line upgrade set to begin”, in RAIL, number 948, page 12:
To improve, usually applied to technology, generally by complete replacement of one or more components.
When you upgrade your standard of living, you become addicted to that standard of living.
2
To replace with something better.
I had to upgrade my anti-virus software to protect my computer from the newer threats.
3
To improve the equipment or furnishings of or services rendered to.
They upgraded him to the latest model.
They were upgraded to first class.
3 more examples
From the builder's standpoint, the name of the game is to upgrade you to the maximum you can qualify for.2014, Sid Davis, A Survival Guide for Buying a Home - Page 80:
Calls at Cardiff Parkway are proposed once this station opens, with investment promised to upgrade station facilities at Severn Tunnel Junction.2019 October, “South Wales open access bid”, in Modern Railways, page 15:
Several level crossings would have to be upgraded, with the existing track re-laid to allow a line speed of 60mph.2022 December 14, “Network News: Fawley branch line reopening supported by 80% of locals”, in RAIL, number 972, page 20:
4
To improve in condition or status.
She upgraded to a more successful husband.
5
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences To replace a program with a later version of itself, a version having a higher version number or marketed under a more recent product name.
She waited a long time to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, hoping the worst bugs would be worked out before she took the plunge.
She waited a long time to upgrade Windows, hoping the worst bugs would be worked out before she took the plunge.
Men fell out, worn-out, and there were sunstroke cases. It was an eight-mile march upgrade.1955, Carl Sandburg, Prairie-town boy, page 173:
Northbound trains originating near the Ohio River faced a 26-mile climb upgrade to Flushing.2009, Craig Sanders, Canton Area Railroads, page 66:
3 more examples
From there it was an eight-mile pull upgrade to the mountain top.2010, Elliott Merrick, True North: A Journey Into Unexplored Wilderness, page 167:
I did that and saw we had to go upgrade a long ways.2013, Marty Metras, Walking the Walk, Camino de Santiago 2012, page 16:
[...] 37905 hauls the 1,400-tonne 0730 Mossend-Margam upgrade from Shrewsbury, mainly at 1-in-100, through Church Stretton at around 25mph on May 13 1989.2020 December 16, David Clough, “Class 37s at 60: the great survivors”, in Rail, page 55, photo caption: