Definitions for retire
rɪˈtaɪərre·tire

Princeton's WordNet(2.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. retire(verb)

   go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position

   "He retired at age 68"

2. retire, withdraw(verb)

   withdraw from active participation

   "He retired from chess"

3. withdraw, retreat, pull away, draw back, recede, pull back, retire, move back(verb)

   pull back or move away or backward

   "The enemy withdrew"; "The limo pulled away from the curb"

4. retire(verb)

   withdraw from circulation or from the market, as of bills, shares, and bonds

5. adjourn, withdraw, retire(verb)

   break from a meeting or gathering

   "We adjourned for lunch"; "The men retired to the library"

6. retire(verb)

   make (someone) retire

   "The director was retired after the scandal"

7. retire(verb)

   dispose of (something no longer useful or needed)

   "She finally retired that old coat"

8. retire, withdraw(verb)

   lose interest

   "he retired from life when his wife died"

9. put out, retire(verb)

   cause to be out on a fielding play

10. retire, strike out(verb)

    cause to get out

    "The pitcher retired three batters"; "the runner was put out at third base"

11. go to bed, turn in, bed, crawl in, kip down, hit the hay, hit the sack, sack out, go to sleep, retire(verb)

    prepare for sleep

    "I usually turn in at midnight"; "He goes to bed at the crack of dawn"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. retire(Noun)

   The act of retiring, or the state of being retired; also, a place to which one retires.

   His retire is by a lake.

   Etymology: From retirer, from prefix re-, + verb tirer, from tirer, tirier, from tire, tiere of origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon tir, Old English tier, Old High German ziari, zēri, German Zier, German zieren. More at tier

2. retire(Noun)

   A call sounded on a bugle, announcing to skirmishers that they are to retire, or fall back.

   At the retire, the cavalry fell back.

   Etymology: From retirer, from prefix re-, + verb tirer, from tirer, tirier, from tire, tiere of origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon tir, Old English tier, Old High German ziari, zēri, German Zier, German zieren. More at tier

3. retire(Verb)

   To withdraw; to take away; -- sometimes used reflexively.

   He retired himself from the party.

   Etymology: From retirer, from prefix re-, + verb tirer, from tirer, tirier, from tire, tiere of origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon tir, Old English tier, Old High German ziari, zēri, German Zier, German zieren. More at tier

4. retire(Verb)

   To withdraw from circulation, or from the market; to take up and pay; as, to retire bonds; to retire a note.

   The central bank retired those notes five years ago.

   Etymology: From retirer, from prefix re-, + verb tirer, from tirer, tirier, from tire, tiere of origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon tir, Old English tier, Old High German ziari, zēri, German Zier, German zieren. More at tier

5. retire(Verb)

   To cause to retire; specifically, to designate as no longer qualified for active service; to place on the retired list; as, to retire a military or naval officer.

   The board retired the old major.

   Etymology: From retirer, from prefix re-, + verb tirer, from tirer, tirier, from tire, tiere of origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon tir, Old English tier, Old High German ziari, zēri, German Zier, German zieren. More at tier

6. retire(Verb)

   to voluntarily stop batting before being dismissed so that the next batsman can bat

   Jones retired in favour of Smith.

   Etymology: From retirer, from prefix re-, + verb tirer, from tirer, tirier, from tire, tiere of origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon tir, Old English tier, Old High German ziari, zēri, German Zier, German zieren. More at tier

7. retire(Verb)

   To go back or return; to draw back or away; to keep aloof; to withdraw or retreat, as from observation; to go into privacy; as, to retire to his home; to retire from the world, or from notice.

   I will retire to the study.

   Etymology: From retirer, from prefix re-, + verb tirer, from tirer, tirier, from tire, tiere of origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon tir, Old English tier, Old High German ziari, zēri, German Zier, German zieren. More at tier

8. retire(Verb)

   To retreat from action or danger; to withdraw for safety or pleasure; as, to retire from battle.

   The regiment retired from the fray after the Major was killed.

   Etymology: From retirer, from prefix re-, + verb tirer, from tirer, tirier, from tire, tiere of origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon tir, Old English tier, Old High German ziari, zēri, German Zier, German zieren. More at tier

9. retire(Verb)

   To withdraw from a public station, from working, or from business

   Etymology: From retirer, from prefix re-, + verb tirer, from tirer, tirier, from tire, tiere of origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon tir, Old English tier, Old High German ziari, zēri, German Zier, German zieren. More at tier

10. retire(Verb)

    To recede; to fall or bend back; as, the shore of the sea retires in bays and gulfs.

    Past the point, the shore retires into a sequence of coves.

    Etymology: From retirer, from prefix re-, + verb tirer, from tirer, tirier, from tire, tiere of origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon tir, Old English tier, Old High German ziari, zēri, German Zier, German zieren. More at tier

11. retire(Verb)

    To go to bed; as, he usually retires early.

    I will retire for the night.

    Etymology: From retirer, from prefix re-, + verb tirer, from tirer, tirier, from tire, tiere of origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon tir, Old English tier, Old High German ziari, zēri, German Zier, German zieren. More at tier

12. retire(Verb)

    To stop working on a permanent basis, usually because of old age or illness.

    Having made a large fortune, he retired.

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

13. retire(Verb)

    To withdraw; to take away.

    He retired himself, his wife, and children into a forest.

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

14. retire(Verb)

    To cease use or production of something.

    The steamship made thousands of trips over several decades before it was retired by the shipping company.

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

15. retire(Verb)

    To withdraw from circulation, or from the market; to take up and pay.

    The central bank retired those notes five years ago.

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

16. retire(Verb)

    To cause to retire; specifically, to designate as no longer qualified for active service; to place on the retired list.

    The board retired the old major.

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

17. retire(Verb)

    To voluntarily stop batting before being dismissed so that the next batsman can bat.

    Jones retired in favour of Smith.

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

18. retire(Verb)

    To make a play which results in a runner or the batter being out, either by means of a put out, fly out or strikeout.

    Jones retired Smith 6-3.

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

19. retire(Verb)

    To go back or return; to withdraw or retreat, especially from public view; to go into privacy.

    I will retire to the study.

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

20. retire(Verb)

    To retreat from action or danger; to withdraw for safety or pleasure.

    to retire from battle

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

21. retire(Verb)

    To recede; to fall or bend back.

    Past the point, the shore retires into a sequence of coves.

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

22. retire(Verb)

    To go to bed.

    I will retire for the night.

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

23. retire(Verb)

    To remove or cease to use.

    When a hurricane becomes so deadly or destructive that future use would be insensitive, officials may retire the name of the hurricane.

    Etymology: From Middle French retirer ("draw back") , from prefix re- ("back") , + verb tirer ("draw, pull") , from Old French tirer, tirier ("to draw out, arrange, adorn") , from tire, tiere ("row, rank, order, dress") of Germanic origin akin to Old English and Old Saxon Old Saxon tīr ("fame, glory, ornament") , Old English Old English tīer ("rank, row") , Old High German ziari, zēri ("ornament") , German German Zier ("ornament, adornment") , zieren ("to adorn") . More at tier.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Retire(verb)

   to withdraw; to take away; -- sometimes used reflexively

   Etymology: [F. retirer; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade.]

2. Retire(verb)

   to withdraw from circulation, or from the market; to take up and pay; as, to retire bonds; to retire a note

   Etymology: [F. retirer; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade.]

3. Retire(verb)

   to cause to retire; specifically, to designate as no longer qualified for active service; to place on the retired list; as, to retire a military or naval officer

   Etymology: [F. retirer; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade.]

4. Retire(verb)

   to go back or return; to draw back or away; to keep aloof; to withdraw or retreat, as from observation; to go into privacy; as, to retire to his home; to retire from the world, or from notice

   Etymology: [F. retirer; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade.]

5. Retire(verb)

   to retreat from action or danger; to withdraw for safety or pleasure; as, to retire from battle

   Etymology: [F. retirer; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade.]

6. Retire(verb)

   to withdraw from a public station, or from business; as, having made a large fortune, he retired

   Etymology: [F. retirer; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade.]

7. Retire(verb)

   to recede; to fall or bend back; as, the shore of the sea retires in bays and gulfs

   Etymology: [F. retirer; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade.]

8. Retire(verb)

   to go to bed; as, he usually retires early

   Etymology: [F. retirer; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade.]

9. Retire(noun)

   the act of retiring, or the state of being retired; also, a place to which one retires

   Etymology: [F. retirer; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade.]

10. Retire(noun)

    a call sounded on a bugle, announcing to skirmishers that they are to retire, or fall back

    Etymology: [F. retirer; pref. re- re- + tirer to draw. See Tirade.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Retire

   rē-tīr′, v.i. to draw back: to retreat: to recede: to go to bed.—v.t. to withdraw from circulation, as to retire a bill: to cause to retire.—n. a call sounded on a bugle: act of retiring: retreat: (obs.) a place of retreat.—n. Retī′ral, the act of taking up a bill when due.—adj. Retired′, withdrawn: secluded: private: withdrawn from business.—adv. Retired′ly.—ns. Retired′ness; Retire′ment, act of retiring or withdrawing from society or from public life, or of an army: state of being retired: solitude: privacy.—p.adj. Retir′ing, reserved: unobtrusive: retreating: modest: given to one who retires from a public office or service.—Retired list, a list of officers who are relieved from active service but receive a certain amount of pay. [O. Fr. retirer—re-, back, tirer, to draw.]

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. retire

   The old war-term for retreat. Thus Shakspeare makes Richard Plantagenet exclaim-- "Ne'er may he live to see a sunshine day, That cries Retire, if Warwick bid him stay."

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. retire

   Signifies to fall back a short distance. Also, a bugle-sound intimating to skirmishers that they are to fall back. This bugle-sound in the U. S. service is termed “to the rear.”

British National Corpus

1. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'retire' in Written Corpus Frequency: #4634

2. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'retire' in Verbs Frequency: #512

Anagrams for retire »

1. Terrie

How to pronounce retire?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say retire in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of retire in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of retire in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of retire in a Sentence

1. Fidel Castro, Playboy Interview - January 1967:

   I believe that all of us ought to retire relatively young.

2. James Wan:

   Luckily everyone felt the same way, the only thing to do here is to retire him gracefully and send him off in the most honorable way we could think of.

3. Geoff Sanzenbacher:

   For most people, that's it - you hit that age and decide to retire.

4. Steve Jobs:

   Why would I ever want to run Disney? Wouldn't it make more sense just to sell them Pixar and retire?

5. Bradley Horowitz:

   We want to formally retire the notion that a Google+ membership is required for anything at Google … other than using Google+ itself.

Images & Illustrations of retire

Popularity rank by frequency of use