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REFERENCE

retreat

v. · n.
US //ɹiˈtɹit// UK //ɹɪtɹˈiːt// re·treat
  1. 1 to move back (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Military

    to move away from a place because it is dangerous or because you have lost a fight.

    to withdraw from a position or territory, typically as a tactical response to pressure or defeat.

    Example

    The army had to retreat when they realized they were outnumbered.

    Example

    The commanding officer ordered the infantry to retreat to the secondary defensive line before the enemy could encircle their position.

    Usage

    The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
  2. 2 to change your mind (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to change your opinion or plan because people do not like it.

    to withdraw from a previous commitment, opinion, or policy due to opposition or difficulty.

    Example

    The government had to retreat from its plan to raise taxes after the protests.

    Example

    Faced with a sharp decline in public approval, the administration began to retreat from its controversial environmental policy.
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  1. 3 glaciers (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    to become smaller or move back over time, usually because of heat.

    to move back from a previous position or limit, specifically regarding the recession of glaciers due to melting.

    Example

    Scientists are worried because the mountain glaciers are retreating every year.

    Example

    Satellite imagery confirms that the Arctic ice shelf is retreating at an unprecedented rate due to rising global temperatures.
  2. 4 a quiet place (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a private and peaceful place where you go to rest or relax.

    a place affording peace, quiet, and seclusion from daily life or stress.

    Example

    They spent the weekend at a mountain retreat far away from the city noise.

    Example

    The author spent three months at a remote coastal retreat to finish her latest novel without the distractions of modern life.
  3. 5 meditation/religious event (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Religion

    a period of time away from your normal life to pray, think, or study.

    a period of withdrawal from society for the purpose of spiritual meditation, prayer, or study.

    Example

    He went on a silent retreat at a monastery to clear his mind.

    Example

    The yoga instructor organized a ten-day mindfulness retreat in the countryside for advanced practitioners.
  4. 6 military signal (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Military

    a signal given by a bugle or drum to tell soldiers to move back.

    a signal, such as a bugle call, indicating the need for withdrawal or marking the end of the day.

    Example

    The sound of the retreat echoed across the camp as the sun went down.

    Example

    The bugler sounded the retreat, signaling the formal lowering of the flag at the conclusion of the military ceremony.
Etymology 1

From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret, from Latin retractus, from retraho. Doublet of retract, retrait, and ritratto.

Etymology 2

From re- + treat.

Idioms1 entry

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