retire

verb

re·​tire ri-ˈtī(-ə)r 

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

Synonyms

• bed
• crash [slang]
• doss (down) [chiefly British]
• turn in

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

The filing also details a debt repurchase program, with the company retiring $31,100,000 in principal of its senior notes during the quarter. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024

Related Articles Three charged in Argentina in connection with Liam Payne’s death Controversial Australian Olympic breaker retires from competition Chigvintsev was released on bail several hours after his arrest, and the estranged couple filed dueling requests for restraining orders. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

Just like the Apple Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard, the Apple Magic Trackpad is receiving a minor update this year, with Apple finally retiring the Lightning port and replacing it with a USB-C port. —PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Veterans Day: On Veterans Day, many restaurants will offer discounts or free food to those who actively served and retired from the military and first responders. —Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French retirer, from re- + tirer to draw

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing retire

• retire the side

Kids Definition

retire

verb

re·​tire ri-ˈtī(ə)r 

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