retake

1 of 2

verb

re·​take (ˌ)rē-ˈtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
retook (ˌ)rē-ˈtu̇k How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaken (ˌ)rē-ˈtā-kən How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaking

transitive verb

1
: to take or receive again
2
3
: to photograph again

retake

2 of 2

noun

re·​take ˈrē-ˌtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
: a subsequent filming, photographing, or recording undertaken to improve upon the first
also : an instance of this

Examples of retake in a Sentence

Verb They helped their party retake the Senate. He retook the lead close to the finish line. We will have to retake the photograph. Students can retake the test. Noun The director called for a retake.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Panama President José Raúl Mulino has rejected Trump’s accusations that the key trade route is being operated by China and lodged complaints with the United Nations over Trump’s promises to retake the canal, which was handed over to the country in 1977. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 23 Jan. 2025 As for Trump’s threat to use military force to retake the canal, Sabatini said such a drastic action would require Senate approval. Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
He's also pointed to the tight timeline the law creates for parents and schools to determine if a child meets exemptions or if the parent needs to have their child do a retake, apply for an appeal, enroll in summer school or opt into yearlong tutoring in fourth grade. Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 10 July 2024 The midfielder converted the retake, seemingly setting up another extra time period. Neel Shelat, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for retake 

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retake was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near retake

Cite this Entry

“Retake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retake. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

retake

1 of 2 verb
re·​take (ˈ)rē-ˈtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
retook -ˈtu̇k How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaken -ˈtā-kən How to pronounce retake (audio) ; retaking
: to take again
especially : to photograph again

retake

2 of 2 noun
re·​take ˈrē-ˌtāk How to pronounce retake (audio)
: a second photographing, filming, or recording to improve upon the first
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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