retire

verb

re·tire | \ ri-ˈtī(-ə)r

retired; retiring

Definition of retire

intransitive verb

1 : to withdraw from action or danger : retreat

2 : to withdraw especially for privacy retired to her room

3 : to move back : recede

4 : to withdraw from one's position or occupation : conclude one's working or professional career

5 : to go to bed

transitive verb

1 : withdraw: such as

a : to march (a military force) away from the enemy

b : to withdraw from circulation or from the market : recall retire a bond

c : to withdraw from usual use or service

2 : to cause to retire from one's position or occupation

3a : to put out (a batter) in baseball

b : to cause (a side) to end a turn at bat in baseball

4 : to win permanent possession of (something, such as a trophy)

5 : to pay in full : settle retire a debt

Other Words from retire Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about retire

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Synonyms & Antonyms for retire

Synonyms

bed, crash [slang], doss (down) [chiefly British], turn in

Antonyms

arise, get up, rise, uprise

Examples of retire in a Sentence

I want to be healthy when I retire. She had to retire during the first set because of a muscle strain. The Navy is retiring the old battleship. The manufacturer plans to retire that car model in a few years. The team is retiring his jersey number in honor of his great career.

Recent Examples on the Web

But some of those are 40 years old and are being retired. — Bojan Pancevski, WSJ, "In Germany, a Cold War Deal to Host U.S. Nuclear Weapons Is Now in Question," 12 Feb. 2019 Flynn the bichon frise won last year and is now retired. — Ben Walker, The Seattle Times, "What to watch at the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club dog show," 10 Feb. 2019 Although it's been nearly 16 years since the Concorde was retired, one iconic feature of the supersonic airliner is poised to return just in time for its 50th birthday. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "The Concorde's Iconic 'Droop Nose' Is Being Fully Restored," 8 Feb. 2019 Despite trying to fight this decision, Celestine was ruled against by the presiding judge for that case, Patrick Shelton, who is now retired. — Glamour, "Broken Harts, Episode 6: "Beautiful Black Boys"," 15 Jan. 2019 The reader is reminded of how long ago the abuse occurred, and that McCarrick is retired now. — Mary Beth Keane, Vogue, "Amid Scandal After Scandal, One Catholic Mother Faces A Painful Choice," 6 Dec. 2018 They were retired after selling their Toronto restaurant business, and figured the warm, dry climate would suit them anyway. — Fox News, "Bill Cosby accuser Andrea Constand's full victim impact statement to the court about her experience," 26 Sep. 2018 This time, the pusher was retired, and the teams were instructed to build their own propulsion systems. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, "SpaceX’s hyperloop race was all about ‘maximum speed’ (and celebrating Elon Musk)," 28 July 2018 Miller, who lives in South Carolina, said normally the flag would be retired once the unit returned home from Afghanistan but because of the historical significance of the deployment it will be used for public ceremonies. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Oak Creek-based Eder Flag repairs treasured American flag damaged in Afghanistan," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'retire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.