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

One of the striking developments of the last few years has been the development of online communities where scientists identify and discuss instances of image and data manipulation, some of which have ultimately resulted in retractions and other career consequences. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 12 Sep. 2024

His letter demanding a retraction helps demonstrate the scale of support for Dorje Chang’s movement by wealthy true believers. —Joseph Bien-Kahn, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2024

Express Scripts has since sued over the report, calling for a retraction. —Maya Goldman, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024

Her colleagues were notified, and journal editors who had published her work were contacted about the various data infidelities, as a first step to retraction. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2024

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

—The 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