retrieve

1 of 2

verb

re·​trieve ri-ˈtrēv How to pronounce retrieve (audio)
retrieved; retrieving

transitive verb

1
: to locate and bring in (killed or wounded game)
2
: to call to mind again
3
: to get back again : regain
4
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
retrievability noun
retrievable adjective

retrieve

2 of 2

noun

1
2
: the successful return of a ball that is difficult to reach or control (as in tennis)

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
The suspect then retrieved a silver knife from the kitchen and returned to continue stabbing him. Landon Mion, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2024 Walker went to his father’s safe, retrieved a handgun, and shot himself. Frank H. McCourt Jr., Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 Luckily, a solid walnut library ladder rests against the merchandising cabinet for staff to retrieve them. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 The mature eggs are then retrieved via a minor surgical procedure and fertilized with sperm in a lab. Spencer Goidel, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2024 Later in the search, side scan solar technology located Marin and divers retrieved her. Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2024 First responders soon retrieved Chao from her vehicle and began resuscitation efforts but were unsuccessful, according to the Wall Street Journal. Chris Boyette, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 In a previous incident, the hackers retrieved source code about the company’s identity authentication system. Joseph Menn, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 In her closing arguments, Ms. Morrissey compared the Styrofoam bullet tray shown on Ms. Gutierrez-Reed’s lap with a photo of the Styrofoam bullet tray that was taken out of the box of ammunition that Lieutenant Benavidez retrieved after the shooting. Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
Target shallow smallmouth hangouts like rocky points, ledges and outcroppings, and slow your retrieve as much as possible while maintaining your lure’s proper action. Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 The square bill and single-jointed construction of this surface lure allows for a walk-the-dog action on a simple, straightforward retrieve. Mark Modoski, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 In my experience, the fast retrieve often catches the stripers that turned their noses up at everything else. Jimmy Fee, Field & Stream, 13 Sep. 2023 Which is easier to train, a Lab or a golden retriever? Both Labs and goldens can be trained to perform a wide range of tasks, from making multiple blind retrieves to working as seeing-eye or other types of service dogs. Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 21 Sep. 2023 Fishermen report allowing the 1-ounce barrel sinker to touch lake bottom before beginning their retrieve, with most strikes coming when the spinner rig is 2 to 4 feet off the bottom. cleveland, 20 July 2023 The long-stroke spool and one-piece bail fight tangles and promote orderly line lay on the retrieve. Morgan Lyle, Field & Stream, 4 May 2023 Cast your frog parallel to the bank, then work it back with a steady retrieve. Steve Price, Field & Stream, 7 June 2023 Use the same slow stop-and-go retrieve across grassy and rocky points, especially those leading into spawning coves. Steve Price, Field & Stream, 7 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retrieve.' 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

Verb

Middle English retreven, from Anglo-French retrueve-, present stem of retrover to find again, from re- + trover to compose, invent, find, from Vulgar Latin *tropare — more at troubadour

First Known Use

Verb

1814, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retrieve was in 1658

Dictionary Entries Near retrieve

Cite this Entry

“Retrieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrieve. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

retrieve

verb
re·​trieve
ri-ˈtrēv
retrieved; retrieving
1
: to find and bring in killed or wounded game
teach a dog how to retrieve
2
: to recover or make good a loss or damage
retrieved artifacts from the shipwreck
3
: to get and bring back
especially : to recover (as information) from storage
retrievable
-ˈtrē-və-bəl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on retrieve

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