retrieval

noun re·triev·al \ ri-ˈtrē-vəl \

Definition of retrieval

1 :an act or process of retrieving

2 :possibility of being retrieved or of recovering

beyond retrieval

See retrieval defined for English-language learners

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Examples of retrieval in a Sentence

the retrieval of stolen goods
The system allows quick storage and retrieval of data.

Recent Examples of retrieval from the Web

The bodies were all recovered from within the destroyer, which was badly damaged during the Aug. 21 collision, complicating retrieval efforts.

— the washington post, cleveland.com, "Navy's 7th Fleet: Bodies of all 10 sailors missing on USS John S. McCain now recovered," 27 Aug. 2017
The signal led troopers and a federal investigator to the site of the crash the next day; an investigation got underway with the retrieval of Walkush's body.

— jerzy shedlock, Alaska Dispatch News, "Troopers ID pilot killed in plane crash west of Cook Inlet," 26 Aug. 2017
Koskinen said then that about 8,000 fraudulent refunds were issued relating to such security breaches connected to the retrieval tool, totaling $30 million.

— susan tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Susan Tompor: FAFSA headaches might ease as online IRS tool returns," 23 Aug. 2017
The fire department, along with the Cape May Police Department, used a retrieval line to bring the chain members back safely.

— michelle hunter, NOLA.com, "NOPD searching for 15-year-old runaway," 20 Aug. 2017
More recently, says John Rummel, a biologist who was NASA’s planetary protection officer before Conley, JPL has butted heads with the office over the next big mission, the Mars 2020 rover, which will gather rock samples for later retrieval to Earth.

— paul voosen, Science | AAAS, "With planetary protection office up for grabs, scientists rail against limits to Mars exploration," 3 Aug. 2017
For many on the scene, the grim task ahead wasn't going to be a rescue mission but rather a retrieval operation.

— joshua hammer, GQ, "The Avalanche that Ate an Italian Hotel," 26 July 2017
Unlike traditional tracking collars, many of which send geographical coordinates infrequently or store them onboard for later retrieval, these devices' real-time feeds enable rangers to react quickly.

— rachel nuwer, Scientific American, "Where’s My Elephant? High-Tech Collars Track Wildlife in Real Time," 24 July 2017
The groundbreaking feat by Harvard University scientists demonstrates the potential of harnessing CRISPR for DNA information storage and retrieval.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Video clip encoded in DNA of living bacteria and played back," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'retrieval.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of retrieval

circa 1643

retrieval Synonyms

Synonyms

recapture, reclamation, recoupment, repossession, recovery

Related Words

recruitment, replenishment; redemption, rescue

Near Antonyms

loss, misplacement

RETRIEVAL Defined for English Language Learners

retrieval

noun

Definition of retrieval for English Language Learners

: the act or process of getting and bringing back something : the act or process of retrieving something

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See words that rhyme with retrieval Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for retrieval Spanish Central: Translation of retrieval Nglish: Translation of retrieval for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of retrieval for Arabic speakers

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retrieval

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retrieval

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