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retreat

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noun British English pronunciation: retreat /rɪˈtriːt/ 
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singularretreat
pluralretreats
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Related dictionary definitions

  1. 1
    [countable] a peaceful and private place where you can go in order to rest

    Surrounded by beautiful countryside, it is an ideal rural retreat.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of retreat
    1. a.
      [countable/uncountable] the period of time that you spend resting in a peaceful and private place

      Built into her schedule will be weekend retreats.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of retreat
  2. 2
    [countable/uncountable] an attempt to avoid a dangerous, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation, especially by moving away from it

    the Prince's temporary retreat from the public gaze

    beat a (hasty) retreat (=leave very quickly):

    At the end of the dance Maggie thanked him and beat a hasty retreat back to her friends.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of retreat
    1. a.
      an army's movement away from a position because of danger or defeat

      Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in 1813

      sound the retreat (=give an official signal to an army to move away):

      General Hawkes sounded the retreat.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of retreat
  3. 3
    [countable/uncountable] a change in a person's or organization's ideas, opinion, or decision after they have been criticized or opposed
    retreat from:

    This represents a retreat from the Chancellor's usual policies.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of retreat

This is the British English definition of retreat. View American English definition of retreat.

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