Withdraw Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of WITHDRAW

1

[+ object]

:

to remove (money) from a bank account

• She withdrew $200 from her checking account.

2

[+ object]

:

to take (something) back so that it is no longer available

• The pills were withdrawn [=_recalled_] from the market because they were unsafe.

3

[+ object]

formal

:

to take back (something that is spoken, offered, etc.)

• The company withdrew [=_retracted_] the job offer.
• The prosecutor withdrew her question to the witness.
• They have withdrawn the charges.
• withdraw support for a candidate

4

[no object]

:

to stop participating in something

• Students can withdraw from a class anytime until the last week of the semester.
• The injury forced him to withdraw from [=_drop out of_] the tournament.

5

a

of soldiers

:

to leave an area

[no object]

• The troops were forced to withdraw.
• They withdrew from the battlefield.

[+ object]

• The troops were withdrawn [=_pulled back_] from the front line.

b

[no object]

somewhat formal + old-fashioned

:

to leave a room, area, etc., and go to another place

— + to

• He retired and withdrew [=_moved_] to the country.
• After dinner, we withdrew to the library.

6

[no object]

:

to stop spending time with other people

:

to spend more time alone and gradually stop talking to other people

— often + from or into

• She withdrew from other people as she grew older.
• He withdrew into himself after his brother's death.

— see also withdrawn

7

[+ object]

:

to take (something) back, away, or out

• He withdrew [=_removed_] his hand from the doorknob.