Retirement
Definition
Retirement refers to the withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from active working life, often occurring upon reaching a certain age or due to health reasons.
Parts of Speech
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /rɪˈtaɪərmənt/
- Respelling: ri-TYRE-ment (with "ri" as in "rid," "TYRE" as in "tire," and "ment" as in "moment")
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /rɪˈtaɪəmənt/
- Respelling: ri-TYRE-ment (similar to American English, with "ri" as in "rid," "TYRE" as in "tire," and "ment" as in "moment")
In both dialects, "retirement" is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable, "TYRE," followed by the ending "ment." The pronunciation is consistent across both American and British English, reflecting the word's structure and emphasis.
Etymology
The term "retirement" is derived from the Middle French word "retirer" which means to withdraw. The suffix "-ment" is used to form nouns expressing the result of actions.
Derivatives
- Retiree
- Retiring
- Pre-retirement
- Retirement age
- Retirement plan
Synonyms
- Superannuation (Australian/British English)
- Withdrawal
- Departure
Antonyms
- Employment
- Engagement
- Occupation
Usage
The term retirement is predominantly used to refer to the phase of life where an individual stops formal employment or active working due to age or health concerns. It also signifies a lifestyle or phase that often requires financial planning to ensure a comfortable living without a regular income.
Related Terms
- Pension
- 401(k) (in the US)
- Superannuation (in Australia)
- Retirement plan
- Retirement age
Detailed Definition
Noun
- Withdrawal from Employment: The action or fact of leaving one's job and ceasing to work after reaching a certain age or due to health reasons.
- Example: After 30 years of service, she looked forward to her retirement.
- Phase of Life: The period of one's life after leaving one's job and ceasing to work.
- Example: He is enjoying his retirement by traveling around the world.
- Withdrawal from Position: The action or fact of ceasing to play a sport competitively.
- Example: The athlete announced his retirement after the Olympic Games.
- Financial Savings: Money saved or invested to provide income during the period of retirement.
- Example: It's wise to start planning for retirement at an early age to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle later on.