retire

verb

re·​tire ri-ˈtī(-ə)r 

retired; retiring

intransitive verb

1

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

2

: to withdraw especially for privacy

retired to her room

3

: to move back : recede

4

: to withdraw from action or danger : retreat

The army was forced to retire from the battlefield.

5

: to go to bed

retired for the night

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

retire a battleship

2

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

The general was retired with top honors.

3

a

: 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

Synonyms of retire

• bed
• settle
• sleep
• turn in
• nap
• crash

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

With John Cena set to retire, many people are contemplating who his opponent should be in his final match. —Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Leaders like former American Express CEO Ken Chenault and retiring Partnership for New York City CEO, Kathryn Wylde come to mind. —Sally Susman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025

The keynote speaker is retired Navy Capt. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025

The classic case here is that of General Vladimir Padrino, a defense minister, who ought to have retired five years ago but has received special dispensation to remain in uniform year after year. —Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French retirer, from re- + tirer to draw

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 4

Phrases Containing retire

• retire the side

Rhymes for retire

• admire
• afire
• aspire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inquire
• inspire
• newswire
• perspire

Kids Definition

retire

verb

re·​tire ri-ˈtī(ə)r 

retired; retiring

1

: to get away from action or danger : retreat

2

: to go away especially to be alone

3

: to give up or cause to give up one's job

4

: to go to bed

5

: to put out (a batter or side) in baseball

6

: to win permanent possession of (as a trophy)

Legal Definition

retire

verb

re·​tire

retired; retiring

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from an action

the jury retired for deliberations

transitive verb

: to withdraw from circulation or from the market

retire a loan

retire stock