retrieval

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "retrieval" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process or act of regaining or retrieving something or when trying to gain access to memories or data. For example: "The retrieval of information from the data storage system was successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is versatile, requiring only a single laser beam and could be used in controlling atmospheric pollution or for the retrieval of tiny, delicate or dangerous particles for sampling.

The Guardian - Tech

But the outcome is a lot of very similar object retrieval tasks.

The Guardian - Tech

Others think it unduly burdens freedom of expression and information retrieval.

The Guardian - Tech

According to a recent estimate from Analysys, a telecoms consultancy, global revenues from location-based services will reach $18 billion by 2006 a figure that is regarded as conservative by many in the industry.Mr Townsend notes that cities are, in a sense, vast information storage and retrieval systems, in which different districts and neighbourhoods are organised by activity or social group.

The Economist

Her tag-based retrieval system, called Flamenco, can be seen online.Ironically, the search-based metaphor also allows folders to be reincarnated in a new and more useful form.

The Economist

She explains how the discovery of mummies with Caucasian features in north-west China has pitted nationalists against western academics, and how efforts to film the retrieval of mummies from Andean mountain-tops caused a conflict between scientists and commercial interests.

The Economist

In addition, "tens of millions of pounds" are spent each year in London alone on data storage and retrieval to satisfy a requirement that banks' client and transaction data be kept for five to seven years.

The Economist

Mr McClure says he would like to see more research into "cross-language retrieval" to address this problem, by allowing a database in one language to be searched and accessed by someone who does not speak that language.

The Economist

Another SAV feature is its "reliability layer", which ensures that the various mirror sites that store replicas of the data (say, the Library of Congress, Stanford Digital Library or Tokyo National Library) are complete and up-to-date.While DARs are getting a good deal of attention, they are being used mostly for "data preservation" rather than retrieval and active research.

The Economist

Spain succeeds by managing the medical requirements of organ donation superbly and selling it emotionally to the public.A task force which examined the matter in Britain in 2008 concluded that the number of deceased organ donors could be increased 50% by 2013 mainly through better donor identification and referral and more efficient organ retrieval, and that these should be tried first.

The Economist

His aim was to put 20th-century Americans back in touch with literature and learning, and to unlock the possibilities of progress and creation latent in their minds.Related items THE PARTY BUSINESS: What fun?Dec 16th 1999 The Faustian bargainSep 4th 1997His loving retrieval of Lincoln's spectacles and clippings also typified his attitude to history.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about data or information, consider using "retrieval" to emphasize the process of accessing stored information. For example, "efficient data retrieval".

Common error

Avoid using "retrieval" when simpler words like "recovery" or "getting back" suffice. Overusing "retrieval" can make your writing sound unnecessarily technical or formal in casual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The noun "retrieval" functions primarily to denote the act or process of getting something back, often referring to information or data. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. It commonly appears in contexts related to data management, memory, and recovery operations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retrieval" is a grammatically sound noun widely used to describe the process of getting something back, particularly data or information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While versatile, it leans towards formal and technical contexts, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. Remember to consider simpler alternatives like "recovery" in less formal settings. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively incorporate "retrieval" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recovery

This alternative focuses on regaining something lost or restoring something to a former condition.

extraction

This term suggests the process of carefully removing something from its source.

recapture

This alternative emphasizes the act of regaining control or possession.

repossession

This implies reclaiming ownership, often in a legal or formal context.

harvesting

This term describes collecting something, usually in an organized or agricultural sense.

recuperation

This suggests regaining health, strength, or something abstract like confidence.

reclamation

This focuses on recovering something from a degraded or unusable state.

accessing

This alternative refers to the act of gaining entry to or obtaining something.

obtaining

This term is a broader way to describe getting something.

gathering

This describes the act of collecting things together.

FAQs

How can I use "retrieval" in a sentence?

You can use "retrieval" to refer to the process of getting something back or accessing information. For example: "The successful "retrieval" of the data was crucial for the project."

What's the difference between "retrieval" and "recovery"?

"Retrieval" often implies a more systematic or technical process of getting something back, especially data or information. "Recovery", on the other hand, can refer to regaining something lost or restoring something to a former condition.

What can I say instead of "retrieval"?

You can use alternatives like "recovery", "extraction", or "accessing", depending on the specific context.

Is "retrieval" formal or informal?

"Retrieval" tends to be more formal and is often used in technical, academic, or professional contexts. In everyday conversation, simpler terms like "getting back" might be more appropriate.