What does it mean to "refinance" a loan?

Refinancing a loan involves taking out a new loan to pay off an existing loan, with the aim of achieving better financial terms, such as a lower interest rate or improved repayment conditions. This process can provide borrowers with reduced monthly payments or help them pay off their debt faster, depending on the new loan's structure. The essential element of refinancing is that it seeks to replace an old obligation with a new one that is more favorable, thereby improving the borrower’s financial situation.

In this context, simply increasing debt by securing an additional loan or paying off a loan without adjusting the terms does not align with the concept of refinancing. Additionally, while consolidating multiple loans into a single payment can involve refinancing, it is a more specific action that focuses on merging several debts rather than the broader definition of refinancing an individual loan for better terms.