RETRIEVAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does retrieval mean? 

• RETRIEVAL (noun)
  The noun RETRIEVAL has 3 senses:

1. (computer science) the operation of accessing information from the computer's memory

2. the cognitive operation of accessing information in memory

3. the act of regaining or saving something lost (or in danger of becoming lost)

  Familiarity information: RETRIEVAL used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RETRIEVAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(computer science) the operation of accessing information from the computer's memory

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Hypernyms ("retrieval" is a kind of...):

computer operation; machine operation (an elementary operation that a computer is designed and built to perform)

Domain category:

computer science; computing (the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "retrieval"):

stovepiping (retrieval of information from unconnected databases; the situation that exists when it is necessary to climb out of one database in order to climb down into another; sometimes used for protection against wandering hackers)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The cognitive operation of accessing information in memory

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Context example:

my retrieval of people's names is very poor

Hypernyms ("retrieval" is a kind of...):

memory; remembering (the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered)

Derivation:

retrieve (recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The act of regaining or saving something lost (or in danger of becoming lost)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

recovery; retrieval

Hypernyms ("retrieval" is a kind of...):

act; deed; human action; human activity (something that people do or cause to happen)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "retrieval"):

repossession (the action of regaining possession (especially the seizure of collateral securing a loan that is in default))

reclamation (the recovery of useful substances from waste products)

deliverance; delivery; rescue; saving (recovery or preservation from loss or danger)

ransom (the act of freeing from captivity or punishment)

recapture; retaking (the act of taking something back)

Derivation:

retrieve (get or find back; recover the use of)

 Context examples 

A small study finds that healthy older people who exercise regularly have fewer problems with word retrieval.

(Exercise May Help Seniors with Word, Memory Problems, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

This agent is used for the inhibition of premature LH surges in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, and in combination with other hormones for retrieval of the mature follicles for in-vitro fertilization.

(Ganirelix Acetate, NCI Thesaurus)

Research aimed at assessing the quality and effectiveness of health care as measured by the attainment of a specified end result or outcome; for complete retrieval include RTs.

(Outcomes Research, NIH CRISP Thesaurus)

A transport protocol, designed by the Global Grid Form, to enable secure and efficient transfer, access, and retrieval of distributed data in a grid environment.

(GridFTP, NCI Thesaurus)

The retrieval of incorrect data about a particular patient.

(Incorrect Patient Data Retrieval Medical Device Problem, NCI Thesaurus)

The retrieval of blood sample from the umbilical cord while the fetus is in utero.

(Intrauterine Cordocentesis, NCI Thesaurus)

Management of the acquisition, organization, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of information.

(Information Resources Management, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Our memory reflects our last retrieval of it rather than an exact account of the original event.

(How Our Memory Works, NIH, US)

Research in bioinformatics includes method development for storage, retrieval, and analysis of the data.

(Bioinformatics, NCI Thesaurus)

At the same time, the children also had MRI scans taken and took part in three standard tests that measured language, including their vocabulary, reading and speed of information retrieval skills.

(Too Much Screen Time Changes Structure of Toddlers' Brains, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)