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

The Los Angeles art world is still reeling — eight months after the fact — from the news that Ann Philbin, longtime director of the Hammer Museum at UCLA, is retiring at the end of this year. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2024

In the 5th Congressional District, Republicans are competing to see who will replace Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), who is retiring from Congress after nine terms. —Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 23 June 2024

The state routinely slow-walks requests for public records for months, even years, avoiding compliance until the request has lost its timeliness or the requester moves on or retires. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2024

Tom’s Elton Tribute The Webster, 31 Webster St., Hartford Klein Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport With Elton John retired from touring, the Elton John tribute acts are having a field day. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 June 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