retake

1 of 2

verb

re·take (ˌ)rē-ˈtāk

retook (ˌ)rē-ˈtu̇k ; retaken (ˌ)rē-ˈtā-kən ; retaking

Synonyms of retake

transitive verb

: to take or receive again

: recapture

: to photograph again

retake

2 of 2

noun

re·take ˈrē-ˌtāk

: a subsequent filming, photographing, or recording undertaken to improve upon the first

also : an instance of this

Examples of retake in a Sentence

Verb They helped their party retake the Senate. He retook the lead close to the finish line. We will have to retake the photograph. Students can retake the test. Noun The director called for a retake.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Verb

Trump restricted things more during his first term, and then again upon retaking the White House in 2025. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026 The conflict ended in June with an Argentine surrender and the British retaking control of the island. — Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Noun

Harry Kane scored twice — including a penalty retake and a header off a set piece — in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia before a sellout crowd of 70,389, tying Gary Lineker for the most World Cup goals by an England player with 10. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026 Dominik Livakovic saved Harry Kane’s first attempt, but a retake was ordered because the goalkeeper had moved off his line and defender Josko Gvardiol had encroached into the area early before clearing the rebound. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for retake

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of retake was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Retake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retake. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

retake

1 of 2 verb

re·take (ˈ)rē-ˈtāk

retook -ˈtu̇k ; retaken -ˈtā-kən ; retaking

: to take again

especially : to photograph again

retake

2 of 2 noun

re·take ˈrē-ˌtāk

: a second photographing, filming, or recording to improve upon the first

retake

verb

noun

Synonyms of retake

Examples of retake in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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retake

verb

noun

Synonyms of retake

Examples of retake in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for retake

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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Why does English have so many silent letters?

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