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