the act of retiring or withdrawing one's self, especially from what is dangerous or disagreeable.-the place to which anyone retires; a place or privacy or safety; a refuge; an asylum.-the retiring of an army or body of men from the face of an enemy, or from any ground occupied to a greater distance from the enemy, or from an advanced position.-the withdrawing of a ship or fleet from an enemy for the purpose of avoiding an engagement or escaping after defeat.-a signal given in the army or navy, by the beat of a drum or the sounding of trumpet or bugle, at sunset (when the roll is called), or for retiring from action.-a special season of solitude and silence to engage in religious exercises.-a period of several days of withdrawal from society to a religious house for exclusive occupation in the duties of devotion; as, to appoint or observe a retreat.-to make a retreat; to retire from any position or place; to withdraw; as, the defeated army retreated from the field.