retrieval

[ ri-tree-vuhl ]

noun

1. the act of retrieving.
2. the chance of recovery or restoration:

   Sadly, many aboriginal languages have been lost beyond retrieval.

3. Psychology. the act or process of accessing information previously encoded and stored in memory: Compare recall ( def 9 ), recognition ( def 9 ).

   The article explores the use of picture matching tasks to assist in word retrieval in aphasic patients.

retrieval

/ rɪˈtriːvəl /

noun

1. the act or process of retrieving
2. the possibility of recovery, restoration, or rectification (esp in the phrase beyond retrieval )
3. a computer filing operation that recalls records or other data from a file

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrieval¹

First recorded in 1635–45; retrieve + -al ²

Example Sentences

Along the highway east of town, you will probably encounter Coyote, a 67-year-old junkyard proprietor with a booming baritone voice and a truck that says “UFO retrieval and repairs.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Thirlwall Inquiry heard Letby later passed a retrieval placement after requesting a new assessor, claiming she felt "intimidated" by Ms Lightfoot.

From BBC

Any student who failed their final placement had the opportunity to repeat it and achieve the competencies they had not achieved in a four week retrieval, the inquiry heard.

From BBC

Letby's next mentor, Sarah Jane Murphy, said she was "conflicted" about passing the student nurse in light of Ms Lightfoot's comments but said she had met the standards required after the retrieval placement.

From BBC

But, she said, she underwent an a third egg retrieval ahead of time and through IVF wound up with two viable embryos that would make it possible for her and Mulaney to expand their family, if they chose to do so.

From Los Angeles Times