verb
retrieve
rih-TREEV
verb
1
To get something back, especially something that was lost, stored, or left somewhere.
"He went back to retrieve his phone from the taxi."
"The program retrieves customer data from the database."
2
To fetch and bring back, as a dog does with game or a thrown object.
"The dog retrieved the ball and dropped it at her feet."
3
To fix or make up for a mistake, loss, or bad situation.
"It took months to retrieve the company's reputation after the scandal."
How to Use Retrieve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get something back, fetch it, or recover from a setback.
Common pairings
retrieve a file
retrieve information
retrieve a ball
Word Forms
retrieved past tense, retrieves plural, retrieves singular
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Etymology
From Old French retrover, "to find again" — from re- ("again") + trover ("to find").