retire
verb
re·tire
ri-ˈtī(-ə)r 
retired; retiring
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
1
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
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
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
Travis later reflected on his brother's decision to retire from the NFL in an episode of their New Heights podcast.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
There’s also Beth Hammack, co-head of the global financing group, who’s retiring after more than 30 years at the bank.
—Byluisa Beltran, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
At Ecorse Creek, tagging along with the firefighters and the riverkeeper was Bryon Frady of Melvindale, retired after 34 years in his family’s package delivery business, now obsessed with pulling junk from rivers.
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024
Bierman has since retired but leaves the 641 hp Ioniq 5 N as part of his legacy.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
Grote retired after the 1978 season to spend more time with his wife and kids.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
The Super Bowl champ siblings — Eagles center Jason retired earlier this year — both played college ball for UC and their return to Cincinnati was huge news in the city for the past week.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Apr. 2024
Age 30, retiring after this WTA season, and Saturday was her biggest career title.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2024
Daniel Bice, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
Travis later reflected on his brother's decision to retire from the NFL in an episode of their New Heights podcast.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
There’s also Beth Hammack, co-head of the global financing group, who’s retiring after more than 30 years at the bank.
—Byluisa Beltran, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2024
At Ecorse Creek, tagging along with the firefighters and the riverkeeper was Bryon Frady of Melvindale, retired after 34 years in his family’s package delivery business, now obsessed with pulling junk from rivers.
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024
Bierman has since retired but leaves the 641 hp Ioniq 5 N as part of his legacy.
—Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 12 Apr. 2024
Grote retired after the 1978 season to spend more time with his wife and kids.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
The Super Bowl champ siblings — Eagles center Jason retired earlier this year — both played college ball for UC and their return to Cincinnati was huge news in the city for the past week.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 12 Apr. 2024
Age 30, retiring after this WTA season, and Saturday was her biggest career title.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to retire
Dictionary Entries Near retire
Cite this Entry
“Retire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retire. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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)
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