retrieve

[ ri-treev ]
See synonyms for: retrieveretrievedretrieving on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),re·trieved, re·triev·ing.
  1. to recover or regain: to retrieve the stray ball.

  2. to bring back to a former and better state; restore: to retrieve one's fortunes.

  1. to make amends for: to retrieve an error.

  2. to make good; repair: to retrieve a loss.

  3. Hunting. (of hunting dogs) to fetch (killed or wounded game).

  4. to draw back or reel in (a fishing line).

  5. to rescue; save.

  6. (in tennis, squash, handball, etc.) to make an in-bounds return of (a shot requiring running with the hand extended).

  7. Computers. to locate and read (data) from storage, as for display on a monitor.

verb (used without object),re·trieved, re·triev·ing.
  1. Hunting. to retrieve game.

  2. to retrieve a fishing line.

noun
  1. an act of retrieving; recovery.

  2. the possibility of recovery.

Origin of retrieve

1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English retreven, from Middle French retroev-, retreuv-, tonic stem of retrouver “to find again,” equivalent to re-re- + trouver “to find”; see trover

synonym study For retrieve

1. See recover.

Other words from retrieve

  • re·triev·a·ble, adjective
  • re·triev·a·bil·i·ty, noun
  • non·re·triev·a·ble, adjective
  • un·re·triev·a·ble, adjective
  • un·re·trieved, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use retrieve in a sentence

  • Nevertheless, under favorable conditions the situation might have been retrieved.

    The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte | William Milligan Sloane
  • Even if ordinary skill were out of the question, ordinary resolution would quickly have retrieved the initial reverses.

    Argentina | W. A. Hirst
  • The morning paper was tossed carelessly against the steps—and as he retrieved it, he noticed that this was the 15th day of June.

  • Then he felt that he had in a manner retrieved himself, and could retire from the five-o'clock cocktails with honor.

    Questionable Shapes | William Dean Howells
  • She did not sleep that night, and in those dark hours she determined that the past should be retrieved.

    For John's Sake | Annie Frances Perram

British Dictionary definitions for retrieve

retrieve

/ (rɪˈtriːv) /


verb(mainly tr)
  1. to get or fetch back again; recover: he retrieved his papers from various people's drawers

  2. to bring back to a more satisfactory state; revive

  1. to extricate from trouble or danger; rescue or save

  2. to recover or make newly available (stored information) from a computer system

  3. (also intr) (of a dog) to find and fetch (shot game)

  4. tennis squash badminton to return successfully (a shot difficult to reach)

  5. to recall; remember

noun
  1. the act of retrieving

  2. the chance of being retrieved

Origin of retrieve

1
C15: from Old French retrover, from re- + trouver to find, perhaps from Vulgar Latin tropāre (unattested) to compose; see trover, troubadour

Derived forms of retrieve

  • retrievable, adjective
  • retrievability, noun
  • retrievably, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012