modernise v 1: become technologically advanced; "Many countries in Asia are now developing at a very fast pace"; "Viet Nam is modernizing rapidly" [syn: {modernize}, {modernise}, {develop}] 2: make repairs, renovations, revisions or adjustments to; "You should overhaul your car engine"; "overhaul the health care system" [syn: {overhaul}, {modernize}, {modernise}]