retake

1 of 2

verb

re·​take (ˌ)rē-ˈtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
retook (ˌ)rē-ˈtu̇k How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaken (ˌ)rē-ˈtā-kən How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaking

transitive verb

1
: to take or receive again
2
3
: to photograph again

retake

2 of 2

noun

re·​take ˈrē-ˌtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
: a subsequent filming, photographing, or recording undertaken to improve upon the first
also : an instance of this

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
The boys were among masses of Ukrainian children moved out of the Kherson region in autumn 2022 as Ukrainian troops were poised to retake it from Russian control. Anastacia Galouchka, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023 With this devastating first section of its final chapter, Netflix’s crown jewel bids farewell to an icon, and retakes its throne. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023 Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP The Senate election in the Buckeye State next year is one of the key races the GOP has been focusing on in its bid to retake control of the upper chamber of Congress. Jack Birle, Washington Examiner, 16 Nov. 2023 Ukraine has been unable to secure a decisive breach of Russian defenses in the south of the country, or to retake substantial territory in the east. Matthew Mpoke Bigg, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023 The oil market hostilities arose from a pact between Faisal and the leaders of Egypt and Syria, whose armies planned surprise drives to retake their territory under Israeli occupation. Jim Krane, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2023 Whatever path the immediate future of the war takes, recent chatter from the GOP primary has U.S. and, especially, Ukrainian intelligence and military figures theorizing about what the future of the conflict might be should Republicans retake the presidency. Ben Makuch, The New Republic, 9 Oct. 2023 Several streets of the kibbutz are in ruins following the attack and the subsequent battle by the Israel Defense Forces to retake it. Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 15 Nov. 2023 While cautious not to compromise any of its operations, Kyiv has been eager to tout its battlefield successes after the much-vaunted counteroffensive, now more than five months old, has retaken a only series of villages and no big settlements. Reuters, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2023
Noun
Harmony attended summer school, which her mother said was more like summer camp, but did not pass the retake. Athena Jones, CNN, 10 Sep. 2023 Zell stumbled over a word and asked to do a retake. Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2023 The taping of a 1968 special with Petula Clark was interrupted when Ms. Clark touched Mr. Belafonte’s arm, and a representative of the sponsor, Chrysler-Plymouth, demanded a retake. Peter Keepnews, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2023 So if the new director follows through on requiring a retake next year, what’s the right path for you? Karla L. Miller, Anchorage Daily News, 28 May 2023 The taping of a 1968 special with Petula Clark was interrupted when Clark touched Belafonte’s arm and a representative of the sponsor, Chrysler-Plymouth, demanded a retake. Peter Keepnews, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Apr. 2023 The executive, who interrupted the song and had called for a retake, was later reprimanded by Chrysler and called Mr. Belafonte to apologize. Adam Bernstein, Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2023 And Emily had to schedule a retake on her exam. Courtney Tanner, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Jan. 2021 The United States will send Abrams tanks to Ukraine, President Joe Biden announced Wednesday, reversing course on a major step in aiding Kyiv retake territory from Russia. Tori Otten, The New Republic, 25 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retake was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near retake

Cite this Entry

“Retake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retake. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

retake

1 of 2 verb
re·​take (ˈ)rē-ˈtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
retook -ˈtu̇k How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaken -ˈtā-kən How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaking
: to take again
especially : to photograph again

retake

2 of 2 noun
re·​take ˈrē-ˌtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
: a second photographing, filming, or recording to improve upon the first
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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