Definition of retreat
1a (1) : an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable (2) : the process of receding from a position or state attained the retreat of a glacierb (1) : the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position (2) : a signal for retreatingc (1) : a signal given by bugle at the beginning of a military flag-lowering ceremony (2) : a military flag-lowering ceremony
2 : a place of privacy or safety : refuge
3 : a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director
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Examples of retreat in a Sentence
Some of her friends were surprised by her retreat from public life following her defeat in the election.
we made a strategic retreat when we realized that we were outnumbered
Origin and Etymology of retreat
Middle English retret, from Anglo-French retrait, from past participle of retraire to withdraw, from Latin retrahere, from re- + trahere to draw
retreat
Definition of retreat
retreater
nounExamples of retreat in a Sentence
When the enemy attacked, our troops were forced to retreat.
They retreated behind trees for safety.
He quickly retreated from the room.
After her defeat, she retreated from politics.
First Known Use of retreat
15th century
Synonym Discussion of retreat
RETREAT Defined for English Language Learners
retreat
playDefinition of retreat for English Language Learners
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: movement by soldiers away from an enemy because the enemy is winning or has won a battle
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: movement away from a place or situation especially because it is dangerous, unpleasant, etc.
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: the act of changing your opinion or position on something because it is unpopular
retreat
Definition of retreat for English Language Learners
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: to move back to get away from danger, attack, etc.
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: to move or go away from a place or situation especially because it is dangerous, unpleasant, etc.
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: to change your opinion or statement about something because it is unpopular
RETREAT Defined for Kids
Definition of retreat for Students
1 : an act of going back or away especially from something dangerous, difficult, or disagreeable The enemy is in retreat.
2 : a military signal for turning away from the enemy He sounded the retreat.
3 : a place of privacy or safety a mountain retreat
4 : a period of time in which a person goes away to pray, think quietly, or study
Definition of retreat for Students
retreated
;retreating
1 : to move back or away especially from something dangerous, difficult, or disagreeable The troops retreated at nightfall.
2 : to go to a place of privacy or safety The family retreated to their summer home.
Law Dictionary
retreat
Legal Definition of retreat
: the act or process of withdrawing from a dangerous situation
retreat
verbAdditional Notes on retreat
Many jurisdictions require that a person must have at least attempted a retreat, if it was possible to do so with safety, in order for a defense of self-defense to prevail. Retreat from an attack in one's own home, however, is usually not required.
Learn More about retreat
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See words that rhyme with retreat Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for retreat Spanish Central: Translation of retreat Nglish: Translation of retreat for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of retreat for Arabic speakers
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