retake

1 of 2

verb

re·​take (ˌ)rē-ˈtāk 

retook (ˌ)rē-ˈtu̇k  ; retaken (ˌ)rē-ˈtā-kən  ; retaking

transitive verb

1

: to take or receive again

2

: recapture

3

: to photograph again

retake

2 of 2

noun

re·​take ˈrē-ˌtāk 

: a subsequent filming, photographing, or recording undertaken to improve upon the first

also : an instance of this

Synonyms of retake

Verb

• recapture
• regain
• retrieve
• recover
• reclaim

Examples of retake in a Sentence

Verb

They helped their party retake the Senate.

He retook the lead close to the finish line.

We will have to retake the photograph.

Students can retake the test.

Noun

The director called for a retake.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

With the Dallas Cowboys owning a 6-6-1 record entering their Sunday night bout with the Minnesota Vikings, the Eagles sit primed to retake the division crown after winning it last season on their way to a Super Bowl victory. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Dec. 2025

Remember, Democrats only need to flip about three seats to retake the House. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025

Noun

Unlimited retakes, lenient deadlines and inflated scoring bands became the norm. —Christine E Rodriguez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2025

The hero of the night was Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer, who saved all three penalties after referee Erik Lambrechts ordered two separate retakes for encroachment. —Gregg Evans, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for retake

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• eastlake
• forsake
• handshake
• headache

Kids Definition

retake

1 of 2 verb

re·​take (ˈ)rē-ˈtāk 

retook -ˈtu̇k  ; retaken -ˈtā-kən  ; retaking

: to take again

especially : to photograph again

retake

2 of 2 noun

re·​take ˈrē-ˌtāk 

: a second photographing, filming, or recording to improve upon the first