retire

verb

re·​tire ri-ˈtī(-ə)r How to pronounce retire (audio)
retired; retiring
Synonyms of retirenext

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

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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.
But the 2026 race to replace retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell wasn't the sole focus of the day (despite McConnell's presence — and his legacy — looming large over the annual rally). — Bailey Loosemore, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Aug. 2025 Now retired, Brown still co-produces the monthly True Tunes Podcast and is known to his Facebook followers for culling from his massive vinyl collection to be one of the most reliable playlist creators around, with a vast interest in all types of music. — Chris Willman, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025 But after retiring two years ago, the 58-year-old Mississippi resident started guiding anglers on inshore fishing trips from his one-of-a-kind, 18-foot Carolina Skiff. — Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2025 After his father retired from the Army, the family settled in Tallahassee, Florida, when the Emmy-winner was in 7th grade. — Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for retire

Word History

Etymology

Middle French retirer, from re- + tirer to draw

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retire was in 1533

Phrases Containing retire

Rhymes for retire

See All Rhymes for retire

Browse Nearby Words

retirant
retire
retired
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retire. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

retire

verb
re·​tire ri-ˈtī(ə)r How to pronounce retire (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on retire

Nglish: Translation of retire for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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