retirement

1 of 2

noun

re·​tire·​ment ri-ˈtī(-ə)r-mənt 

1

a

: an act of retiring : the state of being retired

b

: withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from active working life

c

: the age at which one normally retires

reaches retirement in May

2

: a place of seclusion or privacy

retirement

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or designed for retired persons

Synonyms of retirement

Noun

• withdrawal
• retreat

Examples of retirement in a Sentence

Noun

She decided to take an early retirement.

Many fans were surprised by the champion's retirement.

The staff is smaller because of several retirements.

I'm looking forward to retirement.

He is ready for retirement.

He came out of retirement to play baseball again.

She has remained very active during retirement.

The staff all wished her a long and happy retirement.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Finally, in January of 2026, the termination, resignation, or retirement (including early retirement) for a large number of NASA employees was made final, reducing the number of NASA employees from over 17,000 at the start of 2025 to its current number of less than 13,000 at present. —Big Think, 11 Mar. 2026

Since his retirement, current and former staff say the department has been plagued by a thinning workforce, fanning complaints further. —Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2026

Adjective

The Bottom Line The best financial planner for pre-retirement combines fiduciary responsibility, relevant credentials, transparent fees, and a clear retirement income strategy. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026

One of the keys to positive aging in post-retirement life is staying relevant and engaged. —Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1919, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing retirement

• come out of retirement
• individual retirement account
• pre-retirement
• retirement home
• retirement plan

Rhymes for retirement

• postretirement
• preretirement

Kids Definition

retirement

1 of 2 noun

re·​tire·​ment ri-ˈtī(ə)r-mənt 

: an act of retiring : the state of being retired

especially : the leaving of one's job permanently

retirement

2 of 2 adjective

: of, relating to, or made for retired persons

a retirement community