retire

/ri'taiə/

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The word "retire" is a verb that means to stop working or to withdraw from a certain activity, often because of age or after a long period of service. It can also mean to prepare for sleep. Here is a simple breakdown of its meanings, usage, and related information:

Basic Meaning

1. To stop working: This is the most common meaning. When someone retires, they leave their job and do not work anymore, usually because they are older or have worked for many years.

   • Example: "My father retired at age 65 after working for the same company for 40 years."

2. To prepare for sleep: "Retire" can also mean to go to bed or to sleep.

   • Example: "I usually retire to my room around 10 PM."

Advanced Usage

• To withdraw from a particular activity: People can retire from various activities, not just jobs. For example, a player may retire from a sport.

  • Example: "After winning the championship, she decided to retire from tennis."

• To dispose of something: Sometimes, "retire" means to get rid of something that is no longer useful.

  • Example: "The company retired old equipment that was too expensive to repair."

Word Variants

• Retirement (noun): The period after someone retires.
  • Example: "He is enjoying his retirement by traveling."
• Retired (adjective): Describes someone who has stopped working.
  • Example: "She is a retired teacher."

Different Meanings

• In sports: To "retire" a player means to put them out of the game.
  • Example: "The pitcher retired three batters in a row."
• In finance: It can mean to take bills or shares out of circulation.
  • Example: "The bank retired old bonds that were no longer needed."

Synonyms

• Stop working
• Withdraw
• Go to bed
• Leave
• Adjourn (in the context of meetings)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• "Retire from": Used when talking about leaving a job or activity.
  • Example: "She retired from her job after 30 years."
• "Retire to": Means to go to a place for rest or quiet.
  • Example: "After the meeting, they retired to the lounge for refreshments."

Conclusion

In summary, "retire" is a versatile word that mainly means to stop working but can also refer to going to bed or getting rid of something. It is used in various contexts, including work, sports, and finance.

Academic

Verb

1. prepare for sleep
   • I usually turn in at midnight
   • He goes to bed at the crack of dawn
2. cause to get out
   • The pitcher retired three batters
   • the runner was put out at third base
3. cause to be out on a fielding play
4. lose interest
   • he retired from life when his wife died
5. dispose of (something no longer useful or needed)
   • She finally retired that old coat
6. make (someone) retire
   • The director was retired after the scandal
7. break from a meeting or gathering
   • We adjourned for lunch
   • The men retired to the library
8. withdraw from circulation or from the market, as of bills, shares, and bonds
9. pull back or move away or backward
   • The enemy withdrew
   • The limo pulled away from the curb
10. withdraw from active participation
    • He retired from chess
11. go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
    • He retired at age 68

Synonyms

• strike out
• put out
• withdraw
• adjourn
• retreat
• pull away
• draw back
• recede
• pull back
• move back