retirement

1 of 2

noun

re·​tire·​ment ri-ˈtī(-ə)r-mənt How to pronounce retirement (audio)
1
a
: an act of retiring : the state of being retired
b
: withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from active working life
c
: the age at which one normally retires
reaches retirement in May
2
: a place of seclusion or privacy

retirement

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or designed for retired persons

Examples of retirement in a Sentence

Noun She decided to take an early retirement. Many fans were surprised by the champion's retirement. The staff is smaller because of several retirements. I'm looking forward to retirement. He is ready for retirement. He came out of retirement to play baseball again. She has remained very active during retirement. The staff all wished her a long and happy retirement.
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.
Noun
Ryan Blaney, who clinched the NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2023 and finished second in 2024, has come under the scrutiny of industry insiders, including Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. In 2025 so far, the Team Penske driver has suffered four race retirements. Lydia Mee, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025 The New Orleans Saints official website provided further insight into Carr’s injury which led to his eventual retirement. Kambui Bomani, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Adjective
Most common, however, are retirement benefits—those are intended to replace a percentage of your pre-retirement income based on your lifetime earnings. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Social Security pays many kinds of benefits, but the most common are retirement benefits—those are intended to replace a percentage of your pre-retirement income based on your lifetime earnings. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for retirement

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retirement was in 1536

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Cite this Entry

“Retirement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retirement. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

retirement

1 of 2 noun
re·​tire·​ment ri-ˈtī(ə)r-mənt How to pronounce retirement (audio)
: an act of retiring : the state of being retired
especially : the leaving of one's job permanently

retirement

2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or made for retired persons
a retirement community

More from Merriam-Webster on retirement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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