retake

1 of 2

verb

re·​take (ˌ)rē-ˈtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
retook (ˌ)rē-ˈtu̇k How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaken (ˌ)rē-ˈtā-kən How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaking

transitive verb

1
: to take or receive again
2
3
: to photograph again

retake

2 of 2

noun

re·​take ˈrē-ˌtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
: a subsequent filming, photographing, or recording undertaken to improve upon the first
also : an instance of this

Examples of retake in a Sentence

Verb They helped their party retake the Senate. He retook the lead close to the finish line. We will have to retake the photograph. Students can retake the test. Noun The director called for a retake.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
From 48 yards out, Wilson pulled off the impossible with yet another go-ahead score in the final minute to retake the lead for New York, 37-34, with 25 seconds to go. Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2025 Percy Altieri, Becca Cody, Kirsten Cole, Lily Cummins, Emma Eliot, Leila Harb, Amani Makuwa and Julia Reed will also retake the court. Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
Beth Mead missed England’s first spot-kick after a retake, putting Spain ahead in the shout-out. Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 July 2025 The baseline can be either their initial TCAP English language arts score or their retake score. Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for retake

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retake. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

retake

1 of 2 verb
re·​take (ˈ)rē-ˈtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
retook -ˈtu̇k How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaken -ˈtā-kən How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaking
: to take again
especially : to photograph again

retake

2 of 2 noun
re·​take ˈrē-ˌtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
: a second photographing, filming, or recording to improve upon the first
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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