to modernize
Loading your saved state.
to modernize
To renovate or update something, such as a building, facility, or system, and adapt it to the current state of technology, knowledge, or taste.
Die Stadt will die alte Bibliothek umfassend modernisieren.
The city wants to comprehensively modernize the old library.
The verb is derived from the adjective 'modern' (modern). The ending '-isieren' means 'to make something ...'. So 'modernisieren' (to modernize) literally means 'to make modern'.
Wir müssen unsere IT-Systeme dringend modernisieren.
We urgently need to modernize our IT systems.
'Modernisieren' (to modernize) is a transitive verb and almost always needs an accusative object. You always modernize 'etwas' (something).
Die Firma hat ihre Produktionsanlagen modernisiert.
The company modernized its production facilities.
Typical things that are modernized are buildings (house, apartment), technical facilities (heating system, factory), or abstract systems (administration, processes).
Sie haben ihre alte Küche komplett modernisieren lassen.
They had their old kitchen completely modernized.
to update / refresh
'aktualisieren' and 'modernisieren' both mean that something is made newer. The difference is in the focus. 'aktualisieren' is used especially for information, data, lists, programs, or versions: something is brought up to date. 'modernisieren' is more suitable for buildings, facilities, devices, or entire systems: something is made more up to date technically or in appearance. The words can be confused because both have to do with something being 'new'. A simple guide is: you update data ('Daten aktualisieren'), but you modernize an old house or an old facility ('ein altes Haus / eine alte Anlage modernisieren').
Die Firma modernisiert ihre alten Büros mit neuer Technik.
The company is modernizing its old offices with new technology.
Mein Kollege hat die Kundenliste nach dem Gespräch aktualisiert.
My colleague updated the customer list after the conversation.