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

Adams is retiring in June after four decades at the head of the troubled agency, where turnover is particularly high in the top ranks. —Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Fifty-four percent of African Americans do not have enough money to retire. —Julia Zorthian, TIME, 24 Apr. 2024

John Elway and Peyton Manning being long retired, the Denver Broncos stand in dire need of a franchise quarterback going into the NFL Draft, which begins Thursday in Detroit. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2024

Willis retired from acting in 2022 as his family disclosed his aphasia diagnosis. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024

Kikuchi retired 12 consecutive batters at one point. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2024

But Donald upended that normal with his decision to retire last month. —Adam Grosbard, Orange County Register, 23 Apr. 2024

Then there was a management shake-up when GM announced its Executive Vice President of Global of Manufacturing and Sustainability Gerald Johnson, 61, is retiring after 44 years with GM. —Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024

Republicans have been quick to jump on the infraction in the race to replace Gallagher, who is retiring later this month. —Daniel Bice, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 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