retirement

1 of 2

noun

re·​tire·​ment ri-ˈtī(-ə)r-mənt How to pronounce retirement (audio)
Synonyms of retirement
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

Synonyms of retirement

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Noun

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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
Professional athletes have joked about it in the past, with even all-time NBA great LeBron James teasing at a potential college sports journey post-retirement—albeit as more of a joke than an actual plan. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 Other options include raising payroll taxes, reducing benefits, or increasing the retirement age. — Thomas Hager, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Adjective
In your audit, emergency reserves are separated from non-retirement assets because they should not ever be drained unless there is an emergency. — Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 This isn’t the first time Brady has offered a glimpse of his post-retirement wellness regimen. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing retirement

Rhymes for retirement

See All Rhymes for retirement

Browse Nearby Words

retiree
retirement
retirement annuity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retirement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retirement. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about retirement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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