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

People thought the dogs looked like Labrador retrievers as puppies, but the family wouldn't know what their true breed was until taking a DNA test, which ending up revealing these pups were more than just cane corsos. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025

The breed rose from the No. 14 spot in 2012, eventually replacing Labrador retrievers as the nation’s most beloved type of dog three years ago. —Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2025

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

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