Retrieve
/rɪˈtriːv/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo get something back or find it again after it was lost, hidden, or taken.
/rɪˈtriːv/
To get something back or find it again.
He retrieved his coat from the cloakroom.
💡 Simply: Imagine you dropped your favorite toy, and now you want to get it back. Retrieving means going to get it!
👶 For kids: To get something back that you lost or left somewhere.
More Examples
The dog was trained to retrieve the ball.
I need to retrieve the file from my computer.
How It's Used
"She went back to retrieve her lost keys from the park."
"The system can automatically retrieve information from various databases."
To find and bring back something or someone, often from a difficult situation.
/rɪˈtriːv/
To find and bring back something or someone.
The dog was trained to retrieve the ball.
💡 Simply: Imagine you are a hero and must go find and bring back something or someone. That's retrieving in this context!
👶 For kids: To go and find something and bring it back, like a dog fetching a ball.
More Examples
They sent a team to retrieve the missing hikers.
The system can retrieve data from various sources.
How It's Used
"The Labrador retriever is known for its ability to retrieve game."
"The rescue team worked to retrieve the survivors."
To obtain or get something, especially information from a source.
/rɪˈtriːv/
To obtain or get something.
The program will retrieve the relevant data.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're looking for a specific piece of information and you get it. That is to retrieve information.
👶 For kids: To find something like information from a computer or a book.
More Examples
He tried to retrieve the documents.
How can I retrieve my photos from my old phone?
How It's Used
"The software is able to retrieve information from the database."
"The company must retrieve the lost sales data."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
retrieve data
To get information from a computer system or a database.
"The software can efficiently retrieve data from multiple sources."
retrieve a file
To find and open a document or record that is stored on a computer.
"I need to retrieve a file from the server before the deadline."
From Old French *retrover* ('to find again, recover'), from *re-* ('again') + *trover* ('to find'), from Latin *tropare* ('to find, compose').
The word 'retrieve' has been used since the 14th century and originally referred to regaining something lost or stolen.
Memory tip
Imagine a dog retrieving a ball – getting it back.
Word Origin
"to find again, recover"