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

As of the last survey carried out by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2024, French bulldogs are still first on the list, followed by Labrador retrievers in second place, golden retrievers in third place, German shepherds in fourth, and poodles in fifth. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

These breeds include golden retrievers; Labrador retrievers; beagles; boxers; poodles; Cavalier King Charles spaniels; collies; and bulldogs. —David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025

Thanks to their thick double coat that protects them from the cold, and their tail that functions like a rudder in the water, Labrador retrievers are also great for working in the water. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025

So 11-Year-Old Dog Has a Companion: 'His Baby Now' Cat Left Tied to a Post in Freezing Cold With Heartbreaking Note Hearts Melt at How Dog Enjoys His Senior Years: 'What a Privilege' Labrador retrievers are well known for their love of water, a trait embedded in their history. —Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 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

Rhymes for retriever

• achiever
• believer
• deceiver
• perceiver
• receiver
• reliever
• transceiver
• cleaver
• fever
• leaver
• weaver
• unbeliever

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