information retrieval

American  

noun

1. the systematic storage and recovery of data, as from a file, card catalog, or the memory bank of a computer. IR

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information retrieval British  

noun

1. computing the process of recovering specific information from stored data

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Etymology

Origin of information retrieval

First recorded in 1945–50

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

information retrieval

“Delay in information retrieval, such as the name of an acquaintance, a movie, or a famous person, becomes more common as one gets older and does not necessarily signal an underlying memory problem.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026

Blandin’s read is that “there’s some aspect of a task that requires some information retrieval — and AI is really good at info retrieval.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026

It could also potentially work for information retrieval — where facts can be validated to ensure they are correct.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 20, 2023

A key issue is that those who co-operate with a new information retrieval body can be granted immunity from prosecution.

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2023

Area of special expertise: applications of global sources of online information, computer conferencing, global electronic mail, automation of information retrieval, MS-DOS computer applications.

From The Online World by Odd De Presno

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