retract

UK: /rɪˈtrækt/ US: /rɪˈtrækt/ ,(ri trakt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•tract¹ /rɪˈtrækt/   v. 

1. to draw back or in: [~ + object]
   A snake can retract its fangs.
   [no object]
   The wheels on the airplane don't retract.

re•tract² /rɪˈtrækt/   v. [~ + object]

1. to withdraw (a statement, etc.) as wrong, unfair, etc., esp. formally;
   recant:
   retracted his remarks about his opponent.

re•tract•a•ble, re•tract•i•ble, adj.: 

the retractable landing gear.

re•trac•tion, n. 

[countable] issued a retraction for his foolish remarks.

See -trac-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•tract¹  (ri trakt′), v.t. 

1. to draw back or in:
   to retract fangs.

v.i. 

2. to draw back within itself or oneself, fold up, or the like, or to be capable of doing this:
   The blade retracts.

• Latin retractus, past participle of retrahere to draw back, equivalent. to re- re- + tractus (see tract¹)
• late Middle English retracten 1400–50

re•tract²  (ri trakt′), v.t. 

1. to withdraw (a statement, opinion, etc.) as inaccurate or unjustified, esp. formally or explicitly; take back.
2. to withdraw or revoke (a decree, promise, etc.).

v.i. 

3. to draw or shrink back.
4. to withdraw a promise, vow, etc.
5. to make a disavowal of a statement, opinion, etc.;
   recant.

• Latin retractāre to reconsider, withdraw, equivalent. to re- re- + tractāre to drag, pull, take in hand (frequentative of trahere to pull)
• 1535–45

re•tract′a•ble, re•tract′i•ble, adj. 
re•tract′a•bil′i•ty, re•tract′i•bil′i•ty, n. 
re•trac•ta•tion  (rē′trak tā′shən), n.  Synonyms

• 1, 2. deny, renounce, recant, abrogate, nullify, annul.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

retract / rɪˈtrækt/ verb

1. (transitive) to draw in (a part or appendage): a snail can retract its horns, to retract the landing gear of an aircraft
2. to withdraw (a statement, opinion, charge, etc) as invalid or unjustified
3. to go back on (a promise or agreement)

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin retractāre to withdraw, from tractāre to pull, from trahere to drag

reˈtractable, reˈtractible adjective

retractation / ˌriːtrækˈteɪʃən/ noun

reˈtractive adjective