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

Examples of retraction in a Sentence

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

The president’s attorney had demanded the Times issue a retraction and apology, the paper said. —Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

The White House sought retraction, but the publication never followed up on it. —Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025

What comes next Zeng and Deban plan to expand their work to the second half of the motion, the rapid, precise retraction that follows tongue projection. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025

Lownie and HarperCollins' decision follows reports that Melania’s lawyer, Alejandro Brito, sent a letter to Biden on Aug. 6, demanding a full retraction of an interview. —Charna Flam, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for retraction

• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction
• contraction
• detraction
• diffraction
• distraction
• exaction
• extraction
• impaction
• inaction
• infraction

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

—The 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