retraction

noun

re·​trac·​tion ri-ˈtrak-shən 

1

: an act of recanting

specifically : a statement made by one retracting

2

: an act of retracting : the state of being retracted

3

: the ability to retract

Example Sentences

His charges were false, and he was forced to make a retraction.

the retraction of the plane's landing gear

Recent Examples on the Web

Carroll’s federal lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a retraction of his allegedly defamatory comments. —Jennifer Peltz, Michael R. Sisak, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Apr. 2023

Yet Davis snapped at the notion, asking if Fox News had ever broadcast a retraction. —Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2023

Venkat Viswanathan, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, said the degree of controversy the retraction merited may have been overstated. —IEEE Spectrum, 8 Mar. 2023

Some journal editors say McMaster’s official conclusion of misconduct won’t change much in terms of investigations and retractions. —Byclaudia Lopez Lloreda, science.org, 11 May 2023

Her lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a retraction of Trump’s allegedly defamatory comments. —Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2023

But if there were to be an out-of-court settlement, the deal would need to include the retraction plus a payout larger than the massive sum that Dominion got. —Marshall Cohen, CNN, 20 Apr. 2023

Kimmel’s quip, however, had serious undertones and was part of a chorus of commentators and anchors who questioned and criticized the company for taking the money without a demand for public contrition or a retraction from the conservative-leaning network. —Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2023

After Nelson and other speakers finished addressing the media, the Erik Wemple Blog and other reporters asked whether the settlement required Fox News to publish any retractions or apologies. —Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

retraction

noun

re·​trac·​tion ri-ˈtrak-shən 

1

: a statement taking back something previously said

2

: an act of retracting : the state of being retracted

3

: the ability to retract

Medical Definition

retraction

noun

re·​trac·​tion ri-ˈtrak-shən 

: an act or instance of retracting

specifically : backward or inward movement of an organ or part

retraction of the nipple or skin overlying the tumor

—Journal of the American Medical Association

Legal Definition

retraction

noun

re·​trac·​tion ri-ˈtrak-shən 

: an act of taking back or withdrawing

retraction of a confession

her retraction of the defamatory statement