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retirement

1 of 2

noun

re·​tire·​ment ri-ˈtī(-ə)r-mənt How to pronounce retirement (audio)
Synonyms of retirementnext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The match will be held on the same night as John Cena's retirement. Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025 There was very little extra income for leisure or for other kinds of familial care, to save for retirement or for housing, or for when my father became sick, all of his cancer treatment. Annie Nova, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2025
Adjective
For example, the median boomer is projected to need to replace about a third of their pre-retirement income through private and employer retirement savings, facing a shortfall of roughly $9,000 (or a quarter of their expenses). Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2025 That fascination has led to more recent, post-retirement explorations into the role that the lowly dung and the lofty condor play in maintaining environmental health and balance. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for retirement

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retirement was in 1536

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Cite this Entry

“Retirement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retirement. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

retirement

1 of 2 noun
re·​tire·​ment ri-ˈtī(ə)r-mənt How to pronounce retirement (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on retirement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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