To retire means to stop working permanently, usually after spending many years in a career. Most people retire when they reach their 60s or 70s, after they've saved enough money to support themselves without a regular paycheck. A teacher might retire after 30 years in the classroom, or a firefighter might retire after decades of service.

When you retire, you're withdrawing from your working life. Some people retire to travel, spend time with family, or finally pursue hobbies they never had time for. Others retire because they've earned a pension or saved money in retirement accounts that now provide income.

Retire can also mean withdrawing to a quieter place or going to bed. In old novels, you might read that someone retired to their chambers for the evening. Athletes sometimes retire from competition even when young, perhaps after an injury. A baseball team might retire a jersey number to honor a great player, meaning no one else will ever wear that number again.

When a judge retires from the bench or a general retires from military service, they leave their position with honor after years of dedication.