retighten

Retighten is a verb meaning to tighten again, restoring the original or required level of tightness after it has become looser. The term is widely used in maintenance, engineering, and everyday assembly to describe the act of reapplying torque or tension to a fastener, clamp, or connection.

Common applications include bolts and nuts on machinery, wheels, hose clamps, and electrical connectors. In mechanical contexts, retightening helps maintain preload, compensate for relaxation or creep, and counteract loosening produced by vibration or thermal cycling. Best practices involve following the manufacturer’s torque specification, using a calibrated torque wrench, cleaning threads, and inspecting for wear or damage. If retightening repeatedly becomes necessary, the underlying cause—such as improper fit, excessive vibration, or worn components—should be addressed rather than merely retightening again. Thread-locking compounds or lockwashers may be used to reduce recurrence, but overtightening must be avoided, as it can damage threads or components.

Outside engineering, the term is also used in other contexts such as orthodontics, where retightening of wires or bands adjusts tension on teeth during treatment. In general writing, retighten may appear as retightening (noun) or re-tighten as an alternative spelling.