retraction

noun

re·​trac·​tion ri-ˈtrak-shən 

1

: an act of recanting

specifically : a statement made by one retracting

2

: an act of retracting : the state of being retracted

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 retractions come the same day that Tessier-Lavigne’s resignation as Stanford president takes effect. —Jonathan Wosen, STAT, 31 Aug. 2023

In 2022, there were more than 4,600 retractions — a big jump from 119 in 2002. —Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 1 Aug. 2023

Some of this intransigence is no doubt because publish-or-perish incentives prompt authors to hire attorneys to fight retractions. —Ivan Oransky, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2023

News organizations occasionally receive demands for retractions, which often amount to little more than a PR stunt designed to placate supporters. —Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 21 July 2023

Training your traps will also pay off in spades for your strength exercises like deadlifts, and strong traps are key for the muscle's functions of supporting your arms and scapular retraction, depression, and rotation. —Brett Williams, Men's Health, 21 June 2023

The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in federal court in Alabama, said that lawyers for Mr. Spears had sought a retraction from The Times on March 20 but the newspaper did not grant the request. —Steve Eder, New York Times, 2 June 2023

Both outlets made apologies and retractions and The Times also paid damages. —Manori Ravindran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2023

Carroll is seeking unspecified damages and a retraction of Trump’s allegedly defamatory statements about her. —Andrea Marks, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

—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