1
a(1)
: an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable
(2)
: the process of receding from a position or state attained
the retreat of a glacier
b(1)
: the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position
(2)
: a signal for retreating
c(1)
: a signal given by bugle at the beginning of a military flag-lowering ceremony
(2)
: a military flag-lowering ceremony
2
: a place of privacy or safety : refuge
3
: a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director
retreated; retreating; retreats
: to draw or lead back : remove
specifically
: to move (a piece) back in chess
retreater
noun
Examples of retreat in a Sentence
Noun
Some of her friends were surprised by her retreat from public life following her defeat in the election.
we made a strategic retreat when we realized that we were outnumbered
Verb
When the enemy attacked, our troops were forced to retreat.
They retreated behind trees for safety.
He quickly retreated from the room.
After her defeat, she retreated from politics.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2025
The three-day creative retreat was in partnership with songwriter Erika Vidrio, who led the songwriting sessions.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2025
Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
As your celestial ruler, Venus, takes a dip in your sleepy 12th house of resting, retreating and surrendering to the ebb and flow of your spirit, you’re encouraged to slow down.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
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Noun
The retreat, which the hotel explained in a statement, is rooted in self-discovery and holistic healing, emphasizing empowerment, intentional living, and self-worth for each participant.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2025
The three-day creative retreat was in partnership with songwriter Erika Vidrio, who led the songwriting sessions.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the image from 1984, Prow Knob is almost entirely surrounded by the Alsek Glacier, but by 1999, the glacier had retreated, encircling only half of the mountain.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
As your celestial ruler, Venus, takes a dip in your sleepy 12th house of resting, retreating and surrendering to the ebb and flow of your spirit, you’re encouraged to slow down.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retreat
Cite this Entry
“Retreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retreat. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
retreat
1 of 2 noun
re·treat
ri-ˈtrēt 
1
a
: an act of going away especially from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable
b
: a military retreat from the enemy
c
: a signal for retreating
2
: a place of privacy or safety : refuge
3
: a period of withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director
went on a spiritual retreat
retreat
2 of 2 verb1
: to make a retreat
2
: to slope backward
retreater
noun
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