retire

To stop working permanently, usually because you have reached a certain age.

• My father will retire next year.
• She retired after thirty years as a nurse.
• Would you like to retire early?

How to use it: retire from something (My aunt retired from teaching last year.); retire at age (He plans to retire at sixty-five.)

Similar words: stop working

Common phrases: retire early, retire from work, retire at sixty

To stop using something permanently, often because it is old or no longer needed.

• We should retire this old printer.
• The airline retired ten planes last year.
• This computer system will be retired in June.

How to use it: retire something from service (The company retired its oldest aircraft from service.)

Similar words: withdraw, decommission, phase out

Common phrases: retire old equipment, retire a model, retire from service, retire a product

To go somewhere quiet to rest or sleep.

• I shall retire to bed now.
• He retired to a quiet room with his book.
• The guests had already retired for the night.

How to use it: retire to somewhere (After dinner, she retired to her room.)

Similar words: withdraw, go to bed

Common phrases: retire to bed, retire early, retire to something

To remove money or financial products from use, or pay off a debt.

• The bank retired the old notes.
• The company used its savings to retire debt.
• These bonds will be retired next year.

Similar words: withdraw, redeem, pay off

Common phrases: retire a debt, retire old notes, retire outstanding bonds