retrieval
gb/ɹɪtɹˈivəl/ us/ɹɪtɹˈivəl/
B2
English
~ 9200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
the act of getting something back
the act of getting something back after it was lost, taken, or hard to reach
Usage pattern:
the retrieval of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *retrieval* instead of *return* (e.g. saying "Thanks for the retrieval" to a friend). *Retrieval* usually describes the process itself in a more formal way, not the simple act of giving something back in everyday speech; in conversation, *get back* or *return* is more natural.
Synonyms
recovery (Very close in meaning, but often used slightly more with health, money, or damaged things.)
Antonyms
loss (Opposite because it is the state or act of no longer having something, rather than getting it back.)
Collocations
luggage retrieval
|baggage retrieval area
|search and retrieval
|retrieval operation
|object retrieval
|beyond retrieval
Themes
daily life
|travel
|safety
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The retrieval of the stolen paintings took international cooperation.
- Passengers waited in a long line at the baggage retrieval area.
- A diver was sent down for the retrieval of equipment from the sea floor.
- Bad weather delayed the retrieval of the hikers from the mountain.
- By the time help arrived, the documents were damaged beyond retrieval.
Learner examples
- The police helped with the retrieval of his lost bag.
- We went back to the park for the retrieval of my phone.
- There was a problem with luggage retrieval at the airport.
- The team planned the safe retrieval of the dog from the river.
- After the fire, retrieval of our things was impossible.
Noun
technical
C1
action
2
accessing stored data or information
the process of getting stored data or information from a computer or database
Usage pattern:
the retrieval of [data/information] from [a system/source]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes treat *retrieval* as a verb and say *to retrieval data*. The correct verb is *retrieve* (e.g. *to retrieve data*). *Retrieval* is only a noun.
Synonyms
access (Often used as a verb; slightly broader, but commonly refers to the ability or action of reaching data, not just bringing it back.)
Antonyms
deletion (Opposite in that deletion removes data permanently, while retrieval brings existing data out from storage.)
Collocations
data retrieval
|information retrieval
|storage and retrieval
|fast retrieval
|retrieval system
|real-time retrieval
Themes
technology
|science
|business
Examples
- Efficient data retrieval is critical for large online services.
- The system crashed during the retrieval of customer records from the database.
- New software has cut the average retrieval time from minutes to seconds.
- Cloud storage allows easy retrieval of files from any device.
- The company invested in better retrieval tools for its document management system.
Learner examples
- Fast data retrieval is important for this app.
- We tested the retrieval of files from the backup server.
- The program has a problem with retrieval of old emails.
- Good search tools can make information retrieval much easier.
- The engineer is working to speed up data retrieval.
unknown
technical
C1
action
3
bringing a memory back to mind
the process of bringing a memory from your brain’s storage into your mind again
Usage pattern:
the retrieval of [a memory/information] from memory
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *retrieval* with *revision* or *review* in study contexts. *Retrieval* focuses on pulling information out of memory without looking at notes, while *revision* or *review* means looking at the material again.
Synonyms
recall (Very close in psychological contexts; *recall* is also common in everyday language for remembering something.)
Antonyms
forgetting (Opposite because it is the failure to bring stored information back into awareness.)
Collocations
memory retrieval
|retrieval practice
|retrieval failure
|cue-dependent retrieval
|successful retrieval
|retrieval from long-term memory
Themes
psychology
|education
|science
|health
Examples
- An effective cue can greatly improve memory retrieval.
- The study examined how stress affects the retrieval of emotional memories.
- Frequent retrieval of information helps transfer it to long-term memory.
- Retrieval failure can make it feel as if a memory has disappeared, even when it has not.
- Teachers are increasingly using retrieval practice to strengthen students’ learning.
Learner examples
- Good sleep can help with memory retrieval.
- We tested the retrieval of words learned last week.
- Retrieval of old memories was difficult after the accident.
- The teacher used a quiz as retrieval practice.
- Strong links help fast retrieval from long-term memory.
Grammar
Dictionary form
retrieval
IPA
GB/ɹɪtɹˈivəl/
US/ɹɪtɹˈivəl/
Syllables & stress
re - triev - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (triev)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: retrieval
- Plural: retrieval, retrievals
Word family
Forms
retrievals
noun
Core family
retrieve
verb B2
Related words
retriever
noun
retrievable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
irretrievable
adjective
irretrievably
adverb
Expressions
data retrieval
1/dˈætə ɹɪtɹˈivəl/
fixed phrase
technical
getting stored data from systems
the process of getting saved data from a computer, database, or other digital storage
Examples
- The new software focuses on fast and secure data retrieval.
- Poor data retrieval caused delays in generating the report.
- Our backup system allows easy data retrieval after a crash.
information retrieval
1/ˌɪnfɔɹmˈeɪʃən ɹɪtɹˈivəl/
fixed phrase
technical
finding and accessing stored information
the process of finding and getting information from large systems, such as the internet or big databases
Examples
- He is doing a PhD in information retrieval and search technologies.
- Modern search engines are complex information retrieval systems.
- Good information retrieval is essential for digital libraries.
memory retrieval
1/mˈɛmɚi ɹɪtɹˈivəl/
fixed phrase
technical
bringing stored memories to mind
the process of bringing a memory from storage in your brain back into your mind
Examples
- The experiment tested memory retrieval after a 24-hour delay.
- Exercise may improve memory retrieval in older adults.
- The therapist worked on techniques to support memory retrieval.
retrieval practice
1/ɹɪtɹˈivəl pɹˈæktɪs/
fixed phrase
technical
practice of recalling information to learn better
a study method where you often try to remember information from memory, without looking at notes, to help you learn it better
Examples
- Teachers are using retrieval practice to help students remember key ideas.
- Short quizzes are a simple form of retrieval practice.
- Research shows that retrieval practice is more effective than rereading notes.
search and retrieval
1/sˈɚt͡ʃ ˈænd ɹɪtɹˈivəl/
fixed phrase
technical
searching for and then getting something back
the process of first looking for information or objects and then getting them once you find them
Examples
- The software improves search and retrieval of documents across the network.
- Rescue teams began a search and retrieval operation after the crash.
- Effective search and retrieval are key features of the system.