retreat */

I UK [rɪˈtriːt] / US [rɪˈtrɪt] verb [intransitive]
Word forms "retreat":
present tense I/you/we/they retreat he/she/it retreats present participle retreating past tense retreated past participle retreated

1)

a) to avoid a dangerous, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation, especially by moving away from it

The elephants retreated to the safety of the forest.

into:

Clara, embarrassed, retreated into silence.

b) if an army retreats, it moves away from a position because of danger or defeat

2) to change your ideas, opinion, or decision because of criticism or opposition from other people

The Secretary appeared to retreat from his position when challenged by the press.

3) to move back and cover less of a place

Wading birds collect small molluscs from the mud flats when the tide retreats.

4) to move a chesspiece back to a previous position during a game of chess

II UK [rɪˈtriːt] / US [rɪˈtrɪt] noun
Word forms "retreat":
singular retreat plural retreats

1)

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

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

b) [countable/uncountable] the period of time that you spend resting in a peaceful and private place

Built into her schedule will be weekend retreats.

2)

a) [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.

b) 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.

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.