ˈkɹɒˌfɪʃ dɹɔː ˈbæk ˈhaɪdəˌweɪ ɹɨˈsiːd ɹəˈtaɪə(ɹ) ɹəˈtaɪə(ɹ).mənt ɹəˈtɹiːt ɹəˈtɹiːt wɪðˈdɹɔː

the act of withdrawing or going backward (especially to escape something hazardous or unpleasant) withdrawal for prayer and study and meditation the religious retreat is a form of vacation activity (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat the disorderly retreat of French troops make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him He backed out of his earlier promise The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns pull back or move away or backward The enemy withdrew The limo pulled away from the curb move back The glacier retrogrades move away, as for privacy The Pope retreats to Castelgondolfo every summer an area where you can be alone (military) a bugle call signaling the lowering of the flag at sunset (military) a signal to begin a withdrawal from a dangerous position a place of privacy; a place affording peace and quiet