Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

retreat

/ɹɪˈtɹiːt/ noun

In Latin: recessus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about retreat at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

(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
A place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet.
(military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position.

verb

Pull back or move away or backward.
The enemy withdrew
Move away, as for privacy.
The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer
Move back.
The glacier retrogrades

Origin

From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret, from Latin retractus, from retraho. Doublet of retract, retrait, and ritratto.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word