retriever

noun

re·​triev·​er ri-ˈtrē-vər 

: 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

An assistant was working in a nearby office; Adriane, now retired from her corporate job, was volunteering at the local Humane Society shelter; the family’s second retriever was out getting some exercise. —Sarah Lyall, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

The most popular dog breeds in the U.S. in 2023, Statista reports, were French bulldogs, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, German shepherds, and poodles. —Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025

Some breeds, including Labrador retrievers, Newfoundlands, German shepherds, Rottweilers, and golden retrievers, are more prone to ligament injuries than others. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Siberian huskies and Labrador retrievers are two of the most common for families. —Liz O'Connell, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing retriever

• Chesapeake Bay retriever
• curly-coated retriever
• flat-coated retriever
• golden retriever
• Labrador retriever

Kids Definition

retriever

noun

re·​triev·​er ri-ˈtrē-vər 

: 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