Retrieve

/rɪˈtriːv/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to get something back; to recover something that was lost or misplaced.

The dog was trained to retrieve the ball after it was thrown.

to access and bring back data from a computer system or database.

The software can retrieve the information quickly from the cloud.

to remember or recall information or memories.

She struggled to retrieve the name of the actor from her memory.

Middle English: from Old French 'retrouver' (to find again), from re- 'again' + trouver 'to find'.

retrieve memory

to recall or bring back a memory

retrieve data

to access and obtain data from a system

retrieve an item

to go and get an item that has been left or lost

recover

to get back something that was lost or taken away

reclaim

to recover something that was lost or taken

fetch

to go for and then bring back

to get something back in a sneaky or clever way

He managed to retrieve his phone from her bag when she wasn't looking.