What does retire mean?

Definitions for retire
rɪˈtaɪərre·tire

Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word retire.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. retireverb

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

    "He retired at age 68"

  2. retire, withdrawverb

    withdraw from active participation

    "He retired from chess"

  3. withdraw, retreat, pull away, draw back, recede, pull back, retire, move backverb

    pull back or move away or backward

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

  4. retireverb

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

  5. adjourn, withdraw, retireverb

    break from a meeting or gathering

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

  6. retireverb

    make (someone) retire

    "The director was retired after the scandal"

  7. retireverb

    dispose of (something no longer useful or needed)

    "She finally retired that old coat"

  8. retire, withdrawverb

    lose interest

    "he retired from life when his wife died"

  9. put out, retireverb

    cause to be out on a fielding play

  10. retire, strike outverb

    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, retireverb

    prepare for sleep

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

Wiktionary

  1. retirenoun

    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. retirenoun

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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. retireverb

    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

  1. Retireverb

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

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

  2. Retireverb

    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. Retireverb

    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. Retireverb

    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. Retireverb

    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. Retireverb

    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. Retireverb

    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. Retireverb

    to go to bed; as, he usually retires early

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

  9. Retirenoun

    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. Retirenoun

    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

  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

  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

  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.”

Matched Categories

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. Elizabeth Kennedy:

    He told me in 2012 that with the money he had he could retire and we would be able to live comfortably for the rest of our lives, [The show] is not about money. That's about promoting himself -- his fame.

  2. Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli:

    Over the past several weeks, many of you have inquired about the status of Mike Adams, Dr. Mike Adams, in light of the public attention generated by comments he made on his personal social media channels, we can now share the update that after a discussion with Chancellor Sartarelli, Mike Adams has decided to retire from UNCW, effective August 1, 2020.

  3. Larry Sabato:

    We're going to have to retire the word 'unprecedented' during Trump's presidency, it's becoming the new normal. And disgraceful, of course.

  4. Yukitaka Yamaguchi:

    I had planned to retire when I turn 60, but that's no longer possible.

  5. Sam Kerr:

    It would be amazing to play AFL and maybe one year I will retire there.

Images & Illustrations of retire

  1. retireretireretireretireretire

Popularity rank by frequency of use

retire#10000#12529#100000

Translations for retire

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