Extract vs. Retrieve — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 16, 2024
Extract involves removing a specific part from a whole, typically requiring effort or processing, while retrieve involves getting something back that was previously stored or available.
Difference Between Extract and Retrieve
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Extracting generally implies the removal or derivation of a specific part from a larger whole, often involving a process such as extracting data from a database or juice from fruits. On the other hand, retrieving is about accessing something that was previously stored or placed elsewhere, like retrieving information from memory or retrieving a book from a shelf.
In the context of data management, to extract means to selectively take out specific data from a structured set, such as a database, often for the purpose of further analysis or processing. Whereas, to retrieve suggests the act of fetching data that exists and is accessible, without necessarily altering its structure or form.
Extraction can often involve transformation or separation as part of the process, like extracting essential oils from plants which requires distillation. In contrast, retrieving focuses on the recovery of something without modification, such as retrieving a file from a computer.
Extracting is typically more labor-intensive or complex, reflecting processes such as extracting metal from ore which involves various chemical and physical techniques. Conversely, retrieving tends to be straightforward and direct, emphasizing simple recovery or access, such as retrieving a parked car from a garage.
The terminology used in different fields also highlights their nuances; for instance, in computing, data extraction can mean pulling out specific insights from large datasets, which requires significant computational effort. On the other hand, data retrieval can be as simple as performing a query to find specific information within a database.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To remove or derive a part from a larger whole.
To get back or recover something stored or placed.
Process Complexity
Often involves a complex process or effort.
Usually straightforward and direct.
Example Usage
Extracting juice from an orange.
Retrieving a document from a folder.
Context of Use
Common in data handling, biology, and cooking.
Widely used in data management, search operations.
Associated Operations
May involve transformation or separation.
Typically involves accessing or fetching.
Compare with Definitions
Extract
To obtain information from a particular source.
Scientists extract DNA samples for genetic testing.
Retrieve
To bring back to use or attention.
Retrieve the old guidelines to help draft the new policy.
Extract
To pull out or draw forth.
To extract a tooth requires precise dental skills.
Retrieve
To recall information from memory.
Contestants must quickly retrieve answers from memory during quizzes.
Extract
To derive essence or form by physical or chemical process.
We extract essential oils from flowers through distillation.
Retrieve
To recover something that has been stored.
He retrieves his old photos from the cloud backup.
Extract
To take out parts of a written document.
She extracts quotations from famous books for her thesis.
Retrieve
To fetch or find and bring back.
Dogs are trained to retrieve balls thrown during play.
Extract
To remove data from a larger dataset or database.
Data analysts extract relevant figures for report preparation.
Retrieve
To access or recover digital data or files.
Retrieve the document from the archived files on the server.
Extract
An extract is a substance made by extracting a part of a raw material, often by using a solvent such as ethanol, oil or water. Extracts may be sold as tinctures, absolutes or in powder form.
Retrieve
Get or bring (something) back from somewhere
Steven stooped and retrieved his hat
I was sent to retrieve the balls from his garden
Extract
Remove or take out, especially by effort or force
The fossils are extracted from the chalk
Retrieve
Find or extract (information stored in a computer)
Other features include the ability to store, update, retrieve, and print your data
Extract
Calculate (a root of a number)
Early computers had an instruction to extract a square root
Retrieve
Put right or improve (an unwelcome situation)
He made one last desperate attempt to retrieve the situation
Extract
A short passage taken from a text, film, or piece of music
An extract from a historical film
Retrieve
An act of retrieving something, especially game that has been shot
Watch the dog make the long retrieves
Extract
A preparation containing the active ingredient of a substance in concentrated form
Natural plant extracts
A shampoo with extract of camomile
Retrieve
The possibility of recovery
He ruined himself beyond retrieve
Extract
To draw or pull out, often with great force or effort
Extract a wisdom tooth.
Used tweezers to extract the splinter.
Retrieve
To get back into one's grasp, possession, or control, especially from a known place or a place of storage
Retrieved his coat from the closet.
Extract
To obtain despite resistance
Extract a promise.
Retrieve
To go to and bring or escort back (someone)
Retrieved his friend from the bus station.
Extract
To obtain from a substance by chemical or mechanical action, as by pressure, distillation, or evaporation.
Retrieve
To search for, find, and bring back
Divers retrieving artifacts from a shipwreck.
Extract
To remove for separate consideration or publication; excerpt.
Retrieve
To search for, find, and carry back (killed game or a thrown object). Used of dogs.
Extract
To derive or obtain (information, for example) from a source.
Retrieve
To gain access to (stored information).
Extract
To deduce (a principle or doctrine); construe (a meaning).
Retrieve
To recall to mind (a memory, for example); remember.
Extract
To derive (pleasure or comfort) from an experience.
Retrieve
To rescue or save
Tried to retrieve him from the degradation of life as a runaway.
Extract
(Mathematics) To determine or calculate (the root of a number).
Retrieve
(Sports) To make a difficult but successful return of (a ball or shuttlecock, as in tennis or badminton).
Extract
A passage from a literary work; an excerpt.
Retrieve
To restore to a former or desirable condition
Did whatever he could to retrieve his honor.
Extract
A concentrated preparation of the essential constituents of a food, flavoring, or other substance; a concentrate
Maple extract.
Retrieve
To rectify the unfavorable consequences of; remedy
"An attempt was made to retrieve the blunder" (Francis Parkman).
Extract
Something that is extracted or drawn out.
Retrieve
To find and bring back game or a thrown object
A dog trained to retrieve.
Extract
A portion of a book or document, incorporated distinctly in another work; a citation; a quotation.
I used an extract of Hemingway's book to demonstrate culture shock.
Retrieve
The act of retrieving; retrieval.
Extract
A decoction, solution, or infusion made by drawing out from any substance that which gives it its essential and characteristic virtue
Extract of beef
Extract of dandelion
Vanilla extract
Retrieve
(Sports) A difficult but successful return of a ball or shuttlecock.
Extract
Any substance extracted is such a way, and characteristic of that from which it is obtained
Quinine is the most important extract of Peruvian bark.
Retrieve
(transitive) To regain or get back something.
To retrieve one's character or independence; to retrieve a thrown ball
Extract
A solid preparation obtained by evaporating a solution of a drug, etc., or the fresh juice of a plant (distinguished from an abstract).
Retrieve
(transitive) To rescue (a creature).
Extract
(obsolete) A peculiar principle (fundamental essence) once erroneously supposed to form the basis of all vegetable extracts.
Retrieve
(transitive) To salvage something
Extract
Ancestry; descent.
Retrieve
(transitive) To remedy or rectify something.
Extract
A draft or copy of writing; a certified copy of the proceedings in an action and the judgment therein, with an order for execution.
Retrieve
(transitive) To remember or recall something.
Extract
(transitive) To draw out; to pull out; to remove forcibly from a fixed position, as by traction or suction, etc.
To extract a tooth from its socket, a stump from the earth, or a splinter from the finger
Retrieve
(transitive) To fetch or carry back something, especially (computing) a file or data record.
Extract
(transitive) To withdraw by expression, distillation, or other mechanical or chemical process. Compare abstract (transitive verb).
To extract an essential oil from a plant
Retrieve
(transitive) To fetch and bring in game.
The cook doesn't care what's shot, only what's actually retrieved.
Extract
(transitive) To take by selection; to choose out; to cite or quote, as a passage from a book.
Retrieve
(intransitive) To fetch and bring in game systematically.
Dog breeds called 'retrievers' were selected for retrieving.
Extract
(transitive) To select parts of a whole
We need to try to extract the positives from the defeat.
Retrieve
(intransitive) To fetch or carry back systematically, notably as a game.
Most dogs love retrieving, regardless of what object is thrown.
Extract
To determine (a root of a number).
Please extract the cube root of 27.
Retrieve
To make a difficult but successful return of the ball.
Extract
To draw out or forth; to pull out; to remove forcibly from a fixed position, as by traction or suction, etc.; as, to extract a tooth from its socket, a stump from the earth, a splinter from the finger.
The beeSits on the bloom extracting liquid sweet.
Retrieve
(obsolete) To remedy the evil consequence of, to repair (a loss or damage).
Extract
To take by selection; to choose out; to cite or quote, as a passage from a book.
I have extracted out of that pamphlet a few notorious falsehoods.
Retrieve
A retrieval
Extract
That which is extracted or drawn out.
Retrieve
(sports) The return of a difficult ball
Extract
A portion of a book or document, separately transcribed; a citation; a quotation.
Retrieve
(obsolete) A seeking again; a discovery.
Extract
A decoction, solution, or infusion made by dissolving out from any substance that which gives it its essential and characteristic virtue; essence; as, extract of beef; extract of dandelion; also, any substance so extracted, and characteristic of that from which it is obtained; as, quinine is the most important extract of Peruvian bark.
Retrieve
(obsolete) The recovery of game once sprung.
Extract
A peculiar principle once erroneously supposed to form the basis of all vegetable extracts; - called also the extractive principle.
Retrieve
To find again; to recover; to regain; to restore from loss or injury; as, to retrieve one's character; to retrieve independence.
With late repentance now they would retrieveThe bodies they forsook, and wish to live.
Extract
Extraction; descent.
Retrieve
To recall; to bring back.
To retrieve them from their cold, trivial conceits.
Extract
A draught or copy of writing; certified copy of the proceedings in an action and the judgement therein, with an order for execution.
Retrieve
To remedy the evil consequence of, to repair, as a loss or damadge.
Accept my sorrow, and retrieve my fall.
There is much to be done . . . and much to be retrieved.
Extract
A solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water)
Retrieve
To discover and bring in game that has been killed or wounded; as, a dog naturally inclined to retrieve.
Extract
A passage selected from a larger work;
He presented excerpts from William James' philosophical writings
Retrieve
A seeking again; a discovery.
Extract
Draw or pull out, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense;
Pull weeds
Extract a bad tooth
Take out a splinter
Extract information from the telegram
Retrieve
The recovery of game once sprung; - an old sporting term.
Extract
Get despite difficulties or obstacles;
I extracted a promise from the Dean for two ne positions
Retrieve
Get or find back; recover the use of;
She regained control of herself
She found her voice and replied quickly
Extract
Deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning);
We drew out some interesting linguistic data from the native informant
Retrieve
Of trained dogs
Extract
Extract by the process of distillation;
Distill the essence of this compound
Retrieve
Recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection;
I can't remember saying any such thing
I can't think what her last name was
Can you remember her phone number?
Do you remember that he once loved you?
Call up memories
Extract
Separate (a metal) from an ore
Extract
Obtain from a substance, as by mechanical action;
Italians express coffee rather than filter it
Extract
Take out of a literary work in order to cite or copy
Extract
Calculate the root of a number
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to extract something?
To extract something means to remove it from a larger whole, often requiring a specific process or effort.
How do extract and retrieve differ in computing?
In computing, extract usually means pulling out specific data for use elsewhere, while retrieve means accessing data stored within a system.
What is involved in retrieving information?
Retrieving information involves accessing and bringing back data or details that were previously stored or available.
Can extraction be applied to digital data?
Yes, extraction is often used in digital contexts to refer to pulling specific data from large databases or datasets.
What is a common example of retrieval in everyday life?
A common example is retrieving emails from an inbox or retrieving a book from a shelf.
What tools might be used for extraction?
Tools can vary from software used for data extraction to physical tools like juicers for extracting juice.
What skills are necessary for effective retrieval?
Effective retrieval might require organizational skills and familiarity with search tools or databases.
How does extraction affect the source material?
Extraction can alter the source, as parts are physically or digitally removed.
Can anything be extracted or retrieved?
Generally, tangible and intangible items can be extracted or retrieved if they are part of a larger whole or have been previously stored.
Is extraction always physical?
No, extraction can also be metaphorical, such as extracting information from text.
What are the risks of extraction?
Risks can include damage to the source material or incomplete extraction.
Does extraction require specialized knowledge?
Depending on the context, such as in scientific or technical fields, specialized knowledge may be necessary.
What is a simple form of extraction in the kitchen?
A simple form involves extracting juice from fruits using a juicer or hand press.
Are extract and retrieve used differently in legal contexts?
Yes, in legal contexts, extract might refer to selecting relevant parts of documents, whereas retrieve might involve recovering documents or evidence.
How do timing and context affect retrieval?
Timing and context can impact the ease and success of retrieval, such as retrieving information during a high-pressure situation.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
