# retire

/ˌɹiˈtaɪɝ/ (US) · /ɹɪtˈaɪə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/retire
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to stop working

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

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

### 2. to leave a sport

verb · CEFR B1

to stop playing a professional sport or competing in matches.

For teachers: to cease professional participation in a sport or competitive activity.

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

### 3. to withdraw to a quiet place

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

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

For teachers: to withdraw to or seek seclusion in a private or quiet place.

- After the long dinner party, the host retired to the library for a quiet drink.
- The jury retired to consider their verdict after hearing three weeks of conflicting testimony.

Usage: Intransitive; usually followed by 'to' and a location.

### 4. to go to bed

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to go to bed at the end of the day.

For teachers: to go to bed for the night.

- It has been a very long day, so I think I will retire now.
- The guests retired early, exhausted by the high altitude and the day's strenuous hike.

Teaching tip: This is a very formal way to say 'go to bed' and is rarely used in casual conversation.

### 5. to remove from use

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: to withdraw something from use, service, or circulation.

- The airline decided to retire its older planes to save on fuel costs.
- The central bank will retire the old banknotes as the new polymer versions are distributed to the public.

Usage: Transitive; requires a direct object.

### 6. to get a player out

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical · American English

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

For teachers: to make a play that puts a batter or runner out.

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

## Examples

- The famous striker plans to retire at the end of the season.
- After winning three gold medals, the gymnast decided to retire while she was still at the top of her game.
- Injuries often force athletes to retire prematurely, leaving them to navigate the difficult transition from the intensity of professional competition to a more sedentary lifestyle.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.