retrieve

Retrieve is defined as to find and bring or to bring back or restore, whether physically or mentally.

(verb)

  1. An example of retrieve is for a dog to bring a bone back to his owner after the owner threw the bone into the air.
  2. An example of retrieve is to recover lost files on a computer.

The definition of a retrieve is a return of a ball that is difficult to get to in tennis.

(noun)

An example of retrieve is a tennis move that Serena Williams is capable of making.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See retrieve in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb retrieved, retrieving

  1. to get back; recover
  2. to restore; revive: to retrieve one's spirits
  3. to rescue or save
  4. to set right or repair (a loss, error, etc.); make good
  5. to recall to mind
  6. Comput. to gain access to (data) that is on a floppy disk, hard drive, etc.
  7. Hunting to find and bring back (killed or wounded small game): said of dogs
  8. Racket Sports to return (a ball that is hard to reach)

Origin: ME retreven < inflected stem of OFr retrouver < re-, again + trouver, to find: see trover

intransitive verb

Hunting to retrieve game

noun

  1. any retrieval
  2. ☆ a retrieving of the ball in tennis, etc.

Related Forms:

See retrieve in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb re·trieved, re·triev·ing, re·trieves
verb, transitive
  1. To get back; regain.
  2. a. To rescue or save.
    b. Sports To make a difficult but successful return of (a ball or shuttlecock, as in tennis or badminton).
  3. To bring back again; revive or restore.
  4. To rectify the unfavorable consequences of; remedy. See Synonyms at recover.
  5. To recall to mind; remember.
  6. To find and carry back; fetch.
verb, intransitive
To find and bring back game: a dog trained to retrieve.
noun
  1. The act of retrieving; retrieval.
  2. Sports A difficult but successful return of a ball or shuttlecock.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English retreven

Origin: , from Old French retrover, retruev-

Origin: : re-, re-

Origin: + trover, to find; see trover

.

Related Forms:

  • re·trievˌa·bilˈi·ty noun
  • re·trievˈa·ble adjective
  • re·trievˈa·bly adverb

Learn more about retrieve

link/cite print suggestion box