retirement
ruh-TEYE-uh-muhnt
Retirement (noun) means the act of leaving your job or career for good, usually after reaching a certain age. Example: “She is counting down the days to her retirement next spring.”
noun
1
The act of leaving your job or career for good, usually after reaching a certain age.
"She is counting down the days to her retirement next spring."
"He took early retirement after the company restructured."
"My uncle announced his retirement at a small party with his colleagues."
2
The stage of life after you stop working, or a quiet, secluded life away from public activity.
"They spent their retirement travelling around Europe."
"The old actor lived in quiet retirement for his final years."
"In retirement, she finally found time to learn the piano."
How to use retirement
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStopping work permanently, usually later in life, and the period of life that follows.
Common pairings
take early retirement
plan for retirement
a retirement party
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Word forms
- Plural
- retirements
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She is counting down the days to her _____ next spring.
Etymology
From French retirement, from retirer ("to withdraw") — the same root as "retire."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for retirement
cement
element
clement
movement
pavement
tenement
inclement
abatement
amusement
statement
agreement
excrement
See all rhymes for retirement →
Frequently asked questions
What does “retirement” mean?
The word “retirement” means the act of leaving your job or career for good, usually after reaching a certain age. In plain terms, stopping work permanently, usually later in life, and the period of life that follows.
How do you pronounce “retirement”?
“Retirement” is pronounced ruh-TEYE-uh-muhnt (/ɹəˈtaɪə(ɹ).mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “retirement” in a sentence?
Here is “retirement” used in a sentence: “She is counting down the days to her retirement next spring.”
What part of speech is “retirement”?
“Retirement” is a noun.
Where does the word “retirement” come from?
The word “retirement” comes from French. From French retirement, from retirer ("to withdraw") — the same root as "retire.".
Is “retirement” a common word?
“Retirement” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “retirement” have?
“Retirement” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of leaving your job or career for good, usually after reaching a certain age.
What is the difference between retirement and resignation?
Retirement means leaving work for good, usually late in your career after reaching a certain age, and it is often permanent. Resignation means quitting a particular job, which can happen at any age and usually means moving on to something else. You resign from a role; you retire from working life altogether.
What is the difference between retirement and redundancy?
Retirement is a personal choice to leave working life for good, typically after a certain age. Redundancy happens when an employer removes a role, so the worker loses the job whether they wanted to or not. Retirement is usually planned and voluntary; redundancy is imposed by the company, often unexpectedly.
At what age can you retire?
There is no single answer, as it varies by country, pension rules and personal circumstances. Many people retire in their sixties, often when a state or workplace pension becomes available. Some retire earlier if they can afford it, and others work well beyond the usual age. "A certain age" simply reflects this variation.
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