What does "retire" mean?

1. (to stop working) to stop working permanently, usually because you have reached a certain age. 2. (to leave a sport) to stop playing a professional sport or competing in matches. 3. (to withdraw to a quiet place) to go to a quiet place where you can be alone or private. 4. (to go to bed) to go to bed at the end of the day. 5. (to remove from use) to stop using or producing something because it is old or no longer needed. 6. (to get a player out) to make a play that results in a player being out.

How do you use "retire"?

Intransitive; often used with 'from' to indicate the profession or company. Intransitive; frequently used with 'from' followed by the name of the sport. Intransitive; usually followed by 'to' and a location. Transitive; requires a direct object. Transitive; specifically used in baseball and cricket contexts.

retire

US //ˌɹiˈtaɪɝ// UK //ɹɪtˈaɪə// re·tire

1 to stop working (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to stop working permanently, usually because you have reached a certain age.

to leave one's job and cease to work, typically upon reaching the normal age for leaving employment.

Example

My father plans to retire next year after forty years with the same company.

Example

After decades of service in the public sector, she decided to retire and devote her time to local environmental projects.

Usage

Intransitive; often used with 'from' to indicate the profession or company.
- stop working
- work
- employ
2 to leave a sport (v.)
B1 Intermediate Sport

to stop playing a professional sport or competing in matches.

to cease professional participation in a sport or competitive activity.

Example

The champion decided to retire from tennis while she was still at the top of her game.

Example

Injuries forced the star striker to retire prematurely, much to the disappointment of the club's supporters.

Usage

Intransitive; frequently used with 'from' followed by the name of the sport.
- quit
- hang up one's boots
- compete

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3 to withdraw to a quiet place (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

to go to a quiet place where you can be alone or private.

to withdraw to or seek seclusion in a private or quiet place.

Example

After the long dinner party, the host retired to the library for a quiet drink.

Example

The jury retired to consider their verdict after hearing three weeks of conflicting testimony.

Usage

Intransitive; usually followed by 'to' and a location.
- withdraw
- retreat
- emerge
4 to go to bed (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

to go to bed at the end of the day.

to go to bed for the night.

Example

It has been a very long day, so I think I will retire now.

Example

The guests retired early, exhausted by the high altitude and the day's strenuous hike.

Teacher's tip

This is a very formal way to say 'go to bed' and is rarely used in casual conversation.
- go to bed
- wake up
- rise
5 to remove from use (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to stop using or producing something because it is old or no longer needed.

to withdraw something from use, service, or circulation.

Example

The airline decided to retire its older planes to save on fuel costs.

Example

The central bank will retire the old banknotes as the new polymer versions are distributed to the public.

Usage

Transitive; requires a direct object.
- withdraw
- discard
- introduce
- deploy
6 to get a player out (v.)
C1 Advanced Technical American English Sport

to make a play that results in a player being out.

to make a play that puts a batter or runner out.

Example

The pitcher managed to retire the last three batters in a row.

Example

The defense successfully retired the side in the bottom of the ninth, securing a narrow victory.

Usage

Transitive; specifically used in baseball and cricket contexts.
- put out

Etymology 1

From Middle French retirer (“draw back”), from Old French retirer, built from re- (“back”) + tirer (“draw, pull”), the latter from Vulgar Latin *tīrāre, of highly uncertain origin.

Etymology 2

From re- + tire.

Word family

Verbretire
Nounretiree