noun

• 1A dog of a breed used for retrieving game.

  ‘Prior to the 1800s, European hunters maintained a large collection of dogs - pointers to locate the game; setters and retrievers to retrieve it; hounds to trail quarry over long distances.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Spaniels, terriers, retrievers - each breed has a different personality.’
  • ‘Large dogs, such as retrievers, Dobermans, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks, make great running mates because they've been bred to have long, graceful strides and sturdy joints.’
  • ‘The essence of versatility and intelligence, Weimaraners have been used as bird dogs and water retrievers and have also been used on wolves, wild cats, deer, mountain lion and bear.’
  • ‘She pushed Sampson's nose away as the retriever attempted to play with the frenzied bird in the girl's arms.’
  • ‘Many of the early poodles were retrievers who spent a great deal of time in the water.’
  • ‘In appearance, the dogs took a number of forms; retriever sized long muzzled hounds, heavily built greyhounds, border collies, Alsatian crosses and some forms of ‘lap dog’, probably small mongrels.’
  • ‘If you don't have an active life, for instance, don't purchase a breed that needs a lot of exercise such as hounds, retrievers and shepherds.’
  • ‘I've lived in a second story apartment for the last 10 years, and we've had several dogs: one basset hound, two Rottweilers, and a flat coated retriever.’
  • ‘It cut its teeth on water rat, badger, otter and fox in its native Yorkshire, England, then proved to be an excellent watchdog and retriever, too.’
  • ‘Many people love their retrievers and their sunny dispositions around children and adults.’
  • ‘Through my thirst for knowledge about this breed of dog, I read a lot of books about Chesapeake Bay and its retrievers, never realising that one day I would visit the place to fish for striper bass.’
  • ‘The retriever looked indecisive, constantly bouncing forward to the house, but always stopping short of yanking the leash out of Gale's hand and running back to her side.’
  • ‘The retriever sniffed with cautious curiosity at the doctor's legs, and Julien stood there, looking passively at the dog.’
  • ‘Like the good retriever he is, Baxter pulls at the woman's clothing, dragging her into Frank's view.’
  • ‘The retriever was stretched out on the back seat, and she wanted to impress upon the dog that he must remain there.’
  • ‘With its streamlined body and long legs, the Mudhol can beat any retriever or gundog from overseas.’
  • ‘On the main street, Ocean Avenue, a few people are out walking their retrievers.’
  • ‘Lucy, the retriever, seems happily oblivious to everything that's happened and continues to chase after low circling birds.’
  • ‘Actually, he walked out on the stage with his dog - a black lab retriever named Abbey.’

• 2A person or thing that retrieves something.

  ‘Unitarians saw themselves as the retrievers of a lost purity.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Parking service attendants, workers in warehouses with equipment traffic, shopping cart retrievers, maintenance workers, and delivery vehicle drivers would wear this class of garment.’
  • ‘Others suggested that his service was little more than a résumé retriever - not the kind of in-depth service for which customers would pay top dollar.’
  • ‘Hence, she crosses the boundaries between a retriever of ancient treasures and a finder of local Americana.’
  • ‘He was expected, early in the flight, to land in Portugal or France so the retrievers had been sent off there.’