retrieve

verb

re·trieve | \ ri-ˈtrēv

retrieved; retrieving

Definition of retrieve

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to locate and bring in (killed or wounded game)

2 : to call to mind again

3 : to get back again : regain

4a : rescue, salvage

b : to return (something, such as a ball or shuttlecock that is difficult to reach) successfully

5 : restore, revive his writing retrieves the past

6 : to remedy the evil consequences of : correct

7 : to get and bring back especially : to recover from storage retrieve information

intransitive verb

: to bring in game a dog that retrieves well also : to bring back an object thrown by a person

retrieve

noun

Definition of retrieve (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : retrieval

2 : the successful return of a ball that is difficult to reach or control (as in tennis)

Other Words from retrieve Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about retrieve

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Other Words from retrieve

Verb

retrievability \ ri-ˌtrē-və-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

retrievable \ ri-ˈtrē-və-bəl

\ adjective

Examples of retrieve in a Sentence

Verb

Many archaeological relics were retrieved from the site. Police retrieved his stolen car. You can quickly retrieve data. The files were retrieved from the computer. He was able to retrieve the document. The dog is learning how to retrieve. The dog has been trained to retrieve birds.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

After his funeral, Joann Schneider went to Masonic Homes on Frankfort Avenue to retrieve her husband's belongings and to thank the staff for his care. — Andrew Wolfson, The Courier-Journal, "The 'sad, scary case' of how a nursing home whistleblower exposed a fatal cover-up," 3 July 2019 This Ellen Prank The new film returns to the opening of The Conjuring, with the Warrens retrieving Annabelle and taking her back to their artifact room. — Rosie Knight, refinery29.com, "Where We Left Off With The Conjuring Crew Ahead Of Annabelle Comes Home," 30 June 2019 At some point, the 30-year-old ran into a residence on the same block, retrieved a gun, and began shooting at the other man, hitting him in the abdomen. — Rosemary Sobol, chicagotribune.com, "Lawn mower fight sparks West Side shooting, police say," 27 June 2019 Among other rules changes, a player whose helmet comes off during play must exit the ice or retrieve and replace his helmet. — Curtis Zupke, latimes.com, "Ducks sign goalie Ryan Miller to a contract extension," 20 June 2019 Colorado authorities worked with Texas police to retrieve Jackson’s belongings and to conduct a vehicle search and to view surveillance footage from businesses that Condon had visited. — Saja Hindi, The Denver Post, "Aurora woman allegedly killed by ex-boyfriend had reported prior alleged domestic violence to police," 13 June 2019 Machines in the back of the Hispanic foods store retrieve items from towers of products and then workers pack up the goods. — Heather Haddon, WSJ, "Grocers Enlist Robots to Chase E-Commerce," 29 Oct. 2018 Their bodies were first disposed of in a mine shaft, then retrieved and deposited into a shallow grave in the Koptayki Forest. — Anna Diamond, Smithsonian, "A Century Ago, the Romanovs Met a Gruesome End," 26 June 2018 At some point, one of the men went back in the Amir Apartments, retrieved a gun and started shooting at the other two. — Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Gunman on the loose after one shot outside NW Houston apartment complex," 17 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

This one, however, yielded to Barrett's steady retrieve and, after 8 minutes, was in the net. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Lake Michigan charter outing provides fresh fish and perspectives," 15 June 2019 Letting the rig sink to the lake bottom and using a slow retrieve has been the key. — D'arcy Egan, cleveland.com, "If you aren’t catching walleye on Lake Erie, you aren’t trying: June 14 Fishing Report," 14 June 2019 The event featured a big air, extreme vertical, speed retrieve and iron dog competitions. — Lindsey Salvatelli, Lake County News-Sun, "High-flying dogs make a splash at Libertyville Dog Days," 8 July 2018 Both are short, fat floaters that wobble down to a foot or two on a steady retrieve. — Joe Songer, AL.com, "See video of a turkey hunter calling up a bobcat," 30 Apr. 2018 Make contact with the rocks on the high bluff sides and then slow your retrieve. — Tyler Mahoney Special To The Star, kansascity, "Fishing report: Uneven weather makes for mixed results on the water | The Kansas City Star," 28 Mar. 2018 Some anglers use a larger, lightly weighted swimbait to catch these guys, allowing it to flutter down through the surface action before starting the retrieve. — Frank Sargeant, AL.com, "Find the bait, find the bass," 30 Aug. 2017 Too slow a retrieve gives the fish too much time to shake off. — Mark Yuasa, The Seattle Times, "Lake trout, rainbows and kokanee top the “to do” list of fishing activities around Lake Chelan," 19 May 2017 Too fast a retrieve allows the fish leverage to tear off the hooks. — Mark Yuasa, The Seattle Times, "Lake trout, rainbows and kokanee top the “to do” list of fishing activities around Lake Chelan," 19 May 2017

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