First Known Use: 1533
Dictionary
retire
verb re·tire \ri-ˈtī(-ə)r\
: to stop a job or career because you have reached the age when you are not allowed to work anymore or do not need or want to work anymore
: to cause (someone, such as a military officer) to end a job or career
: to stop playing in a game, competition, etc., especially because of injury
re·tiredre·tir·ing
Full Definition of RETIRE
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
2
: to cause to retire from one's position or occupation
3
a : to put out (a batter or batsman) in baseball or cricket b : to cause (a side) to end a turn at bat in baseball
4
: to win permanent possession of (as a trophy)
5
: to pay in full : settle <retire a debt>
See retire defined for English-language learners
See retire defined for kids
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Origin of RETIRE
Middle French retirer, from re- + tirer to draw
Related to RETIRE
Rhymes with RETIRE
RETIRE Defined for Kids
retire
verb re·tire \ri-ˈtīr\
re·tiredre·tir·ing
Definition of RETIRE for Kids
1
: to give up a job permanently : quit working <My grandfather retired at 65 years old.>
2
: to go away especially to be alone <I retired to my room.>
3
: to go to bed <I'm retiring for the night.>
4
: to withdraw from use or service <The navy retired an old ship.>
5
: to get away from action or danger : retreat <The army retired from the battlefield.>
— re·tire·ment \-mənt\ noun
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