retriever

noun

re·​triev·​er ri-ˈtrē-vər How to pronounce retriever (audio)
: one that retrieves
especially : a dog of any of several breeds having a heavy water-resistant coat and used especially for retrieving game

Examples of retriever in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers were exceedingly loved in the top cities, and American pit bull terriers were also sitting pretty in many. Michael Kolomatsky, New York Times, 9 May 2024 According to the Kentucky Humane Society's Instagram page, there are plenty of adoptable pets, including Leland, who just recently spent his 200th day at the shelter, and Georgia, a 4-year-old retriever mix who'd do best as the only pet in a home. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 8 May 2024 Indeed, the most popular dog breed in New York City is a french bulldog, while labrador retrievers and golden retrievers reign supreme in Dallas and Austin. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 3 May 2024 The video captures the retriever, who is trained in mobility assistance and medical response to help Ashton travel safely and independently, excitedly interacting with one of Disney's famous characters. Seth Carnell, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024 Doberman pinschers and Labrador retrievers often have a heritable form of narcolepsy. Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 2024 For instance, dogs might have needed to learn action words because, not long ago, more worked as herders or retrievers. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024 At the time, Danielle and I owned two Labrador retrievers. David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024 The site is best known for its message boards, where users can congregate on forums known as subreddits to research and discuss everything from parenting to power washing to Labrador retrievers. Lauren Hirsch, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retriever was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near retriever

Cite this Entry

“Retriever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retriever. Accessed 23 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

retriever

noun
re·​triev·​er ri-ˈtrē-vər How to pronounce retriever (audio)
: one that retrieves
especially : a dog (as a golden retriever) of any of several breeds having a heavy water-resistant coat and used especially for retrieving game

More from Merriam-Webster on retriever

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