early retirementEnglishOxford New American Dictionaryearly retirement /ˈərlē rəˈtī(ə)rmənt, , ˈərli rəˈtaɪ(ə)rmənt, rēˈtī(ə)rmənt, riˈtaɪ(ə)rmənt/ ▸ noun the practice of leaving employment before the statutory age, especially on favorable financial terms: some will be forced to take early retirement [count noun] there is a surge of early retirements among demoralized staff.