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

The Giants came out of halftime trailing, 10-7, but played some of their best ball to retake the lead. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 13 Nov. 2026

Wyden is expected to chair the Senate Finance Committee, which has oversight of Kennedy's health department, when Democrats retake Congress in January. — Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026

Noun

Needless to say, Lloyd was preoccupied with the retakes, so getting to know Fox wasn’t the priority. — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2026

Truly, no one is more willing than a Harrie to snap 25 photos of you outside the venue (plus retakes, if necessary) before effusively complimenting your hair glitter. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, 28 Aug. 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