# retraction

/ɹiˈtɹækʃən/ (US) · /ɹɪtɹˈækʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/retraction
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

the act of taking back a statement or a belief. It is often used when someone realizes they were wrong or when a scientific study is proven to be incorrect.

For teachers: the act of withdrawing or disowning a previous statement, belief, or publication. Often used in academic or legal contexts to describe the formal correction of a published error.

## Examples

- The scientist issued a retraction after new evidence appeared.
- The editor published a formal retraction to correct the error in the original article.
- In formal logic, a retraction serves as a mechanism to undo a previous assertion, allowing the system to maintain internal consistency when new information contradicts existing premises.

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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.