retreat retreat /riːˈtriːt/

noun

1. () (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat  ( retreat )
   (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
    The disorderly retreat of French troops
   the disorderly retreat of French troops
   
   
2. The act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant)  ( retreat )
   the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant)
   
3. Withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation  ( retirement , retreat )
   withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation
    The religious retreat is a form of vacation activity
   the religious retreat is a form of vacation activity
   
4. An area where you can be alone  ( hideaway , retreat )
   an area where you can be alone
   
   
5. (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset  ( retreat )
   (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset
   
6. (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position  ( retreat )
   (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position
   
7. A place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet  ( retreat )
   a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet
   

verb

1. () Pull back or move away or backward  ( pull away , pull back , retire , draw back , move back , recede , retreat , withdraw )
   pull back or move away or backward
    The enemy withdrew
   The enemy withdrew
    The limo pulled away from the curb
   The limo pulled away from the curb
   
2. Make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity  ( back out , crawfish [Informal, N. American] , crawfish out [Informal, N. American] , back away , pull back , pull in one's horns [Informal] , retreat , withdraw )
   make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity
    We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
   We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
    He backed out of his earlier promise
   He backed out of his earlier promise
    The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns
   The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns
   
3. Move back  ( retreat , retrograde )
   move back
    The glacier retrogrades
   The glacier retrogrades
   
4. Move away, as for privacy  ( retreat )
   move away, as for privacy
    The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer
   The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer