# retirement

/ɹiˈtaɪɝmənt/ (US) · /ɹɪtˈaɪəmənt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. period after working life

noun · CEFR B1

the time in your life after you have finished your career and stopped working.

For teachers: the state or period of being retired from one's occupation or office.

- My grandfather is enjoying his retirement by traveling and spending time in his garden.
- Many people find that retirement offers a unique opportunity to pursue hobbies that were previously sidelined by the demands of a forty-hour work week.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'in' to describe the life stage.

### 2. the act of stopping work

noun · CEFR B2

the act of leaving your job or career permanently.

For teachers: the formal act of withdrawing from one's employment or office, often marked by a specific date or event.

- The teacher announced her retirement at the end of the school year.
- The CEO's sudden retirement triggered a sharp decline in the company's stock price as investors worried about the lack of a clear succession plan.

Usage: Commonly used with the verb 'announce' or 'reach'.

### 3. withdrawal or seclusion

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

the act of moving away from other people or public life to be alone or quiet.

For teachers: the act of withdrawing into a private or secluded state; a retreat from public notice or social activity.

- After the scandal, the politician lived a life of quiet retirement in the countryside.
- He sought retirement from the chaotic atmosphere of the city, finding solace in a remote cabin where he could write without interruption.

## Examples

- He is looking forward to his retirement next year.
- After forty years of teaching, she celebrated her retirement with a long trip across Europe.
- The sudden shift into retirement can be psychologically taxing for those whose identities are deeply intertwined with their professional achievements and daily office routines.

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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.