retraction

noun

re·​trac·​tion ri-ˈtrak-shən 

1

: an act of recanting

specifically : a statement made by one retracting

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

2

: an act of retracting : the state of being retracted

retraction of the plane's landing gear

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 extraordinary retraction has once again thrust into the spotlight the city’s audit, which The Star revealed earlier this year after obtaining a copy of the review. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026

Universities can investigate research and request retractions, like the University of Tennessee did with Towers, but journal editors have the final say about whether to retract a paper or add a correction. — Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026

Assistants—residents, fellows, or advanced practice providers—provide exposure, retraction, and continuity. — Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

The hex storage cube printed well, with the pre-tuned retraction settings working well on the myriad tiny interspaced holes. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026

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