WordGarden.ioretrieval
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪtrˈiːvəl/
US
- /riˈtrivəl/
Meanings
Noun
the act or process of getting something back or bringing it from where it was kept
the process of getting stored digital information from a computer system or database
the process of bringing stored information back to mind
Beyond the definition
Imagine a dog playing fetch! When the owner throws the ball, the dog retrieves it—bringing it back to its master. That's the heart of retrieval: the act of getting something back, whether it's a physical object, a file on a computer, or a memory tucked away in your mind.
You might retrieve a lost suitcase from an airport's "lost and found," or a detective might retrieve vital clues from a crime scene. In the digital age, data retrieval is how we pull specific information from a large system. Every time you search for a photo on your phone, you are retrieving it from storage. It's all about bringing things back into use after they have been stored away or lost.
Retrieval refers to the process of recovering or finding something that was previously stored, hidden, or inaccessible. It is a versatile term used in everything from physical rescue missions to high-tech computing. For instance, a specialized team might be tasked with the retrieval of a fallen satellite, bringing a piece of technology safely back to Earth.
The word originates from the Old French retrouver, which literally means "to find again." This essence of finding and bringing something back is central to its meaning—it is not just about locating an item, but actively regaining possession or awareness of it.
In the realm of psychology and neuroscience, memory retrieval is the mental process of accessing stored information. When you suddenly recall the name of a childhood friend, your brain is engaging in retrieval. In the tech world, information retrieval is the science behind search engines and databases. When you type a query into a search engine, complex algorithms scan billions of pages to retrieve the most relevant results for you.
Whether it's a team bringing back equipment, a person recalling a cherished moment, or a computer pulling data from a hard drive, retrieval is the act that brings something from a state of being "away" back to the "here and now," making it available once more.
Examples
- 1
Recovery operation
Divers were hired for the retrieval of the boat from the river.
- 2
Digital archive
The software allows fast retrieval of old emails from the archive.
- 3
Memory
Stress can interfere with the retrieval of names and dates from memory.
- 4
Learning practice
Our teacher uses retrieval practice at the start of each lesson.
- Phraseretrieval practice
learning by trying to remember information
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Library system
The librarian improved the catalog system to make book retrieval easier for staff.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- extraction
- recall
- lookup
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- information retrieval
- data retrieval
- retrieval system
- memory retrieval
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- retrievalnoun
Forms
- retrievalspluralnoun