# retreat

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɹɪˈtɹiːt/ · frequency rank #5,833

## Definitions
1. The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
2. The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
3. The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.
4. A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.
5. A peaceful, quiet place in which to urinate and defecate: an outhouse; a lavatory.
6. A period of retirement, seclusion, or solitude, especially for meditation, prayer, or study.
7. A signal for a military withdrawal.
8. A bugle call or drumbeat signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset, as on a military base.
9. A military ceremony to lower the flag.
10. The move of a piece from a threatened position.

## Etymology
From Middle English retret, from Old French retrait or retret, from Latin retractus, from retraho. Doublet of retract, retrait, and ritratto.

## Easily confused with
- **retweet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retreat-vs-retweet)
- **retrial** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retreat-vs-retrial)
- **repeat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/repeat-vs-retreat)
- **regret** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/regret-vs-retreat)
- **reread** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reread-vs-retreat)
- **reheat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reheat-vs-retreat)
- **retract** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retract-vs-retreat)
- **recreate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/recreate-vs-retreat)

## Common misspellings (10)
`ertreat`, `rerteat`, `reterat`, `retraet`, `retreatt`, `retreta`, `retrreat`, `rettreat`, `rretreat`, `rtereat`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/retreat