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

Military analysts say retaking the ‘monster on the mountain’ is largely symbolic, offering scant defense against Hezbollah’s drones. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026

Indonesia was a major battle zone during World War II when Japanese forces occupied what was then the Dutch East Indies, and Allied forces fought to retake control. —CBS News, 1 June 2026

Noun

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles did not immediately respond to questions about how the rule has affected pass rates, retakes or exam volume in Miami-Dade County. —Vera Lucia Pappaterra, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026

Yet, at the same time, little room was allowed for retakes as Coubia shot the whole project on film. —Kevin Giraud, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026

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
• forsake
• gouache
• 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