noun
retractor
rih-TRAK-tuh
noun
1
A surgical tool used to hold open the edges of a wound or incision during an operation.
"The nurse handed the surgeon a retractor to keep the incision open."
2
A mechanism in a firearm that pulls the spent cartridge case out of the chamber.
"The rifle's retractor ejected the spent shell automatically."
How to Use Retractor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tool or part designed to pull something back, most often heard in a surgical context.
Word Forms
retractors plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “retractor”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The nurse handed the surgeon a _____ to keep the incision open.
Etymology
From retract + -or, "one that retracts."