retrieval

noun

re·​triev·​al ri-ˈtrē-vəl How to pronounce retrieval (audio)
Synonyms of retrievalnext
1
: an act or process of retrieving
2
: possibility of being retrieved or of recovering
beyond retrieval

Examples of retrieval in a Sentence

the retrieval of stolen goods The system allows quick storage and retrieval of data.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The fourth asks whether a security team can replay the exact prompts, retrievals and tool calls behind any consequential agent action. Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Seltz’s advisers and angel investors include executives from Google, Ramp, Cohere, Synthesia, and Databricks, along with academics from information-retrieval labs at NYU and the University of Glasgow. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 24 June 2026 The platform isn't designed to fly human passengers; it's geared toward the support of research or other payloads that require retrieval after a stint in space, such as pharmaceuticals and other products of orbital manufacturing. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 June 2026 This Mars Sample Return project was well underway, with specimens cached on Mars ready for retrieval, but is now in limbo because of budget cuts. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for retrieval

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1643, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retrieval was circa 1643

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Cite this Entry

“Retrieval.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrieval. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

retrieval

noun
re·​triev·​al ri-ˈtrē-vəl How to pronounce retrieval (audio)
: an act or process of retrieving

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