# retrieve

/ɹiˈtɹiv/ (US) · /ɹɪtɹˈiːv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/retrieve
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to get something back

verb · CEFR B2

to find and bring something back from where it was left or lost.

For teachers: to recover or regain possession of something; transitive use requiring a direct object.

- The police managed to retrieve the stolen paintings from a warehouse.
- Archaeologists worked carefully to retrieve the fragile pottery fragments from the muddy riverbed before the tide came in.

### 2. to get information

verb · CEFR B2

to find and get information that is stored on a computer.

For teachers: to access and extract data from a storage system or database.

- The software allows you to retrieve deleted files within thirty days.
- The system is designed to retrieve complex data sets in milliseconds, ensuring that the user interface remains responsive during peak traffic.

### 3. to fetch game

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

when a dog finds and brings back a bird or animal that has been shot.

For teachers: to find and bring back killed or wounded game; often used intransitively when describing a dog's trained ability.

- The golden retriever jumped into the lake to retrieve the duck.
- A well-trained gun dog must learn to retrieve on command without damaging the bird with its teeth.

### 4. to return a ball

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to reach and hit a difficult ball back to your opponent.

For teachers: to make a successful return of a ball that appeared difficult or impossible to reach.

- She managed to retrieve the smash and eventually won the point.
- The defender's ability to retrieve low volleys from the baseline kept him in the match against a much more aggressive opponent.

### 5. the act of getting something back

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of finding and bringing something back.

For teachers: the process or act of recovery; often used in technical or sporting contexts.

- The retrieve of the sunken vessel took several months of planning.
- The dog's quick retrieve of the fallen pheasant impressed the judges during the final round of the competition.

## Examples

- The dog ran to retrieve the ball from the tall grass.
- The system allows users to retrieve their forgotten passwords by answering a few security questions.
- Archaeologists spent several months at the site attempting to retrieve delicate pottery fragments before the rising floodwaters could cause further erosion to the riverbank.

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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.