retire

verb

re·​tire ri-ˈtī(-ə)r How to pronounce retire (audio)
retired; retiring

intransitive verb

1
: to withdraw from action or danger : retreat
2
: to withdraw especially for privacy
retired to her room
3
: to move back : recede
4
: to withdraw from one's position or occupation : conclude one's working or professional career
5
: to go to bed

transitive verb

1
: withdraw: such as
a
: to march (a military force) away from the enemy
b
: to withdraw from circulation or from the market : recall
retire a bond
c
: to withdraw from usual use or service
2
: to cause to retire from one's position or occupation
3
a
: to put out (a batter) in baseball
b
: to cause (a side) to end a turn at bat in baseball
4
: to win permanent possession of (something, such as a trophy)
5
: to pay in full : settle
retire a debt

Examples of retire in a Sentence

I want to be healthy when I retire. She had to retire during the first set because of a muscle strain. The Navy is retiring the old battleship. The manufacturer plans to retire that car model in a few years. The team is retiring his jersey number in honor of his great career.
Recent Examples on the Web Park officials retired grazing allotments in most of the preserve in 2000, but the practice left behind lasting changes. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 In the summer of 2018, though, Justice Anthony Kennedy retired, and Kavanaugh’s name was in the news, and the night lodged somewhere in her memory—receding and recurring and receding again over the years—returned. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 With its sunny weather, beautiful coastline, tax-friendly policies, and large senior population, Florida remains one of the top states to retire. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2024 But the old institutions and personalities that defined the culture are fading: Church attendance has declined at the same time that several lions of the movement have died, retired or been felled by scandal. Ruth Graham, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024 The larger, three-bedroom homes drew couples who weren't retired, downsizing to the rentals after selling homes. Catherine Reagor, The Arizona Republic, 17 Mar. 2024 The esteemed organist retired from Portland’s Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in 2022. Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 During his second term, the city's attorney, director of public works and community development director retired. Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024 The Philadelphia Eagles center retired from the NFL on Monday, and Kylie, 31, publicly celebrated her husband's accomplishments in a Thursday Instagram post. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French retirer, from re- + tirer to draw

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retire was in 1533

Dictionary Entries Near retire

Cite this Entry

“Retire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retire. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

retire

verb
re·​tire ri-ˈtī(ə)r How to pronounce retire (audio)
retired; retiring
1
: to get away from action or danger : retreat
2
: to go away especially to be alone
3
: to give up or cause to give up one's job
4
: to go to bed
5
: to put out (a batter or side) in baseball
6
: to win permanent possession of (as a trophy)

Legal Definition

retire

verb
re·​tire
retired; retiring

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from an action
the jury retired for deliberations

transitive verb

: to withdraw from circulation or from the market
retire a loan
retire stock

More from Merriam-Webster on retire

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