ironServices.com

English Dictionary

  • Hide translation

 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