retriever

noun

re·​triev·​er ri-ˈtrē-vər 

: one that retrieves

especially : a dog of any of several breeds having a heavy water-resistant coat and used especially for retrieving game

Examples of retriever in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Americans still dig French bulldogs, retrievers and German shepherds. —Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026

Petry is a puck-retriever who can help get his team out of his own. —Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

Ideal avalanche dogs are medium-sized with a high drive to hunt, often retrievers, shepherds, or collies. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026

Kurt Russell is sharing how his and Goldie Hawn’s adorable Labrador retriever, Roy Hawn Russell, inspired him to star in a Super Bowl commercial with Top Gun: Maverick star Lewis Pullman. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing retriever

• Chesapeake Bay retriever
• curly-coated retriever
• flat-coated retriever
• golden retriever
• Labrador retriever

Rhymes for retriever

• achiever
• believer
• deceiver
• perceiver
• receiver
• reliever
• transceiver
• cleaver
• fever
• leaver
• weaver
• unbeliever

Kids Definition

retriever

noun

re·​triev·​er ri-ˈtrē-vər 

: one that retrieves

especially : a dog (as a golden retriever) of any of several breeds having a heavy water-resistant coat and used especially for retrieving game