Retrieve: meaning, definitions and examples

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retrieve

[rɪˈtriːv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

data

To regain possession or control of something.

Synonyms

fetch, recover, regain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
retrieve	Used when you need to get something back, especially something that was lost or hard to find. She managed to retrieve her lost files from the computer The dog was trained to retrieve the ball
regain	Used when you need to get back something abstract like control, composure, or status. Often implies a sense of improving a situation. She tried to regain her confidence after the accident It took him years to regain his reputation
recover	Used when regaining something that was lost, stolen, or taken. It often implies a process of getting back to a normal state. He was able to recover financially after losing his job They fought hard to recover their stolen goods
fetch	Commonly used when you need to go and bring something or someone and come back. Often used in casual or everyday situations. Can you fetch me a glass of water? The children were excited to see the dog fetch the stick

Examples of usage

He was able to retrieve his lost wallet from the police station.
She managed to retrieve her phone from the taxi driver.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

information

To find and bring back information or data from a computer or storage system.

Synonyms

fetch, recover, restore.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
retrieve	Used when someone needs to get back something that was lost or left somewhere. It is more neutral and formal. He went to retrieve his jacket from the classroom. The software can retrieve deleted files.
recover	Often used in contexts related to health, getting back something valuable, or overcoming a setback. Can carry a more serious or urgent tone. She is slowly recovering from the accident. They managed to recover the stolen jewels.
fetch	More informal and often used when asking someone to bring something, especially a dog bringing something back. It also implies going and returning with the item. Can you fetch me a glass of water? The dog loves to fetch the ball.
restore	Used in situations where something is being brought back to its original state, often related to repairing or renewing. The government plans to restore the old church. He worked hard to restore their relationship.

Examples of usage

The IT specialist was able to retrieve the deleted files from the hard drive.
I need to retrieve that email from my inbox.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

sports

The act of getting the ball or other object back after it has been hit or thrown.

Synonyms

recovery, rescue, return.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
retrieve	Use 'retrieve' when you are getting something back that was lost or mislaid, or accessing information stored somewhere. I need to retrieve my keys from the office. She managed to retrieve the old files from the archive.
recovery	Use 'recovery' when referring to the process of getting back to a normal state, especially health, or regaining something that was lost. His recovery from the surgery was quick. The police are working on the recovery of the stolen goods.
rescue	Use 'rescue' when saving someone or something from a dangerous or distressing situation. The firefighters came to rescue the people trapped inside the building. The animal was rescued from the shelter.
return	Use 'return' when bringing something back to its original place or giving something back to the person who had it before. Please return the book to the library. She returned home after the long trip.

Examples of usage

The player made a spectacular retrieve of the ball just before it went out of bounds.
Her quick retrieve prevented the opposing team from scoring.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French 'retriever', which means 'to recover'.
It is derived from the Latin 'retrahere', which translates to 'to draw back' or 'bring back'.
The first known use of the word dates back to the early 15th century.

Science

In psychology, retrieving information from memory is crucial for learning and problem-solving.
Neuroscientific studies show that retrieving information strengthens the pathways in the brain, making it easier to remember later.
Cognitive psychology emphasizes techniques such as retrieval practice, which enhances long-term retention of learned material.

Technology

In computer science, 'data retrieval' refers to the process of obtaining data from a database.
Search engines like Google efficiently retrieve vast amounts of information from the web using complex algorithms.
Cloud computing allows users to retrieve files and data from the internet instead of local storage.

Pop Culture

In many action movies, heroes often 'retrieve' important items like stolen art pieces or secret documents.
The concept of retrieval is popular in video games, where players must find lost artifacts or resources.
Many detectives in fiction are seen retrieving crucial evidence to solve mysteries.

Literature

In classic literature, characters often go on quests to retrieve lost treasures or to gain knowledge.
The theme of retrieval appears in many fairy tales where protagonists must recover stolen items or lost love.
Modern novels often explore emotional retrieval, where characters reflect on past experiences to understand their current lives.

Translations

Translations of the word "retrieve" in other languages:

🇵🇹 recuperar

🇮🇳 प्राप्त करना

🇩🇪 abrufen

🇮🇩 mengambil

🇺🇦 отримати

🇵🇱 odzyskać

🇯🇵 取り戻す (torimodosu)

🇫🇷 récupérer

🇪🇸 recuperar

🇹🇷 geri almak

🇰🇷 회수하다 (hoesuhada)

🇸🇦 استرداد

🇨🇿 získat

🇸🇰 získať

🇨🇳 取回 (qǔ huí)

🇸🇮 pridobiti

🇮🇸 endurheimta

🇰🇿 қайтару

🇬🇪 ამოღება

🇦🇿 geri almaq

🇲🇽 recuperar

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,662, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
10659 nesting
10660 spirituality
10661 miner
10662 retrieve
10663 correspondingly
10664 pictorial
10665 curricula
...