# retrieval

/ɹiˈtɹivəɫ/ (US) · /ɹɪtɹˈiːvəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/retrieval
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

the act of getting something back from a place where it was stored. You use this when talking about finding information on a computer or getting an object back.

For teachers: the process of getting something back from storage or a specific location. In technical contexts, it refers to the extraction of data from a database or memory system.

## Examples

- The retrieval of the lost files took several hours.
- Modern search engines are designed for the rapid retrieval of information from billions of web pages.
- The system architecture prioritises data retrieval speed over storage efficiency, ensuring that users experience minimal latency when accessing archived records from the cloud.

## Usage notes

- Often paired with 'of' to specify the item being recovered.

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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.