WordGarden.ioretrieve
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪtrˈiːv/
US
- /riˈtriv/
Meanings
Verb
to get or bring something back from where it was left or stored
to obtain stored digital data, files, or records from a computer system
to bring a memory, fact, or piece of information back to mind
Beyond the definition
Imagine a dog playing fetch! When the owner throws the ball, the dog retrieves it—runs after it, finds it, and brings it back. That's the core idea of "retrieve": to get something back, often after making an effort to find it.
You might retrieve information from your memory when answering a question, or retrieve a file from your computer. It can also mean getting something that was lost or taken away. For example, a firefighter might retrieve an important photo from a burning building. The word often suggests finding something and bringing it back to the right place or person.
To retrieve means to find and bring (or get) something back, often after a search or deliberate effort. It implies recovering something that has been lost, stored away, or taken from you. Common examples include: "The divers retrieved the sunken treasure from the ocean floor," or "She retrieved her keys from the bottom of her purse."
Retrieval isn't always physical. You can retrieve information from your memory by recalling facts or experiences. Computers also retrieve data; when you search online, the engine retrieves relevant websites and displays them for you. In a technical sense, it describes the process of accessing stored data so it can be used again.
The context often dictates what is being retrieved. A librarian might help you retrieve a specific book from the archives, while a police officer could retrieve stolen property during an investigation. In legal or official contexts, it can also mean getting something back that was being held, such as an impounded vehicle or seized documents.
Historically, "retrieve" comes from the Old French word retrouver, meaning "to find again." This sense of discovering something that was lost or hidden is still central to its meaning today.
So, whether it's rescuing an object, recalling a memory, or accessing digital information, retrieve describes the act of bringing something back into your possession or awareness.
Examples
- 1
Lost item
She reached under the sofa to retrieve her phone.
- 2
Dog fetching
The dog ran into the lake to retrieve the ball.
- 3
Digital ticket
You can retrieve your ticket from the app if you delete the email.
- 4
File recovery
The IT team managed to retrieve the lost files from a backup.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Memory
I knew her face, but I couldn't retrieve her name.
- 6
Database search
The system retrieves customer records in a few seconds.
- Domainin computing, retrieve
find stored information and bring it up for use
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- retrieveverb
Forms
- retrievedpast tenseverb
- retrieving-ing formverb
- retrievesverb