Standard Lemma guide

retrieval

noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ɹɪˈtɹiːvəl/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: R IH0 T R IY1 V AH0 L Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
  • CMU ARPABET 2: R IY0 T R IY1 V AH0 L Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The act of retrieving or something retrieved.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • Search dogs assisted in the retrieval of survivors.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The operation of accessing data, either from memory or from a storage device.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

Examples

  • The system allows rapid retrieval of archived documents.
  • data retrieval
  • document retrieval

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The cognitive process of bringing stored information into consciousness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • information retrieval

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

the act of regaining or saving something lost (or in danger of becoming lost)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: recovery

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: act, deed, human action, human activity

Narrower terms: repossession, reclamation, rescue, deliverance, delivery, saving, ransom, recapture, retaking

5

noun

Meaning 5

the cognitive operation of accessing information in memory

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • my retrieval of people's names is very poor

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: memory, remembering

6

noun

Meaning 6

(computer science) the operation of accessing information from the computer's memory

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: computer operation, machine operation

Narrower terms: stovepiping

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: възвръщане (vǎzvrǎštane) — act of retrieving
  • Finnish: nouto — act of retrieving
  • Finnish: haku — act of retrieving
  • French: récupération — act of retrieving
  • Italian: recupero — act of retrieving
  • Italian: salvataggio — act of retrieving
  • Romanian: recuperare — act of retrieving
  • Spanish: entregamiento — act of retrieving
  • Spanish: diñamiento — act of retrieving
Real reading context

retrieval in complete knowledge articles

Edward Y. Chang Technology & inventions · Advanced · 6 uses Christopher Center Technology & inventions · Advanced · 3 uses