For another sense of this term, see withdrawal (military).

For yet another sense of this term, see Survivalism.

The term retreat has several related meanings, all of which have in common the notion of safety or temporarily removing oneself from one's usual environment.

A retreat is generally a time of solitude, prayer, or meditation conducted in a remote location, either privately, or at a retreat centre such as a monastery. Regular retreats are considered essential in Buddhism, and they are also popular in many Christian churches, including evangelical Protestants, Roman Catholics and Anglicans.