Retrieve vs. Resume — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 27, 2024
Retrieve involves getting something back, while resume means to begin again after a pause.
Difference Between Retrieve and Resume
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Retrieving is the process of getting something back, often something that has been lost, stored, or taken away, emphasizing the action of regaining possession. On the other hand, resuming involves starting something again after it has been paused or interrupted, highlighting a continuation or return to activity.
While retrieval can apply to physical objects, data, or information, indicating a need to recover or regain access, resuming is more about actions, processes, or states of being, focusing on the continuation from a specific point where they were previously halted.
The act of retrieval often requires searching or locating the item or information to be brought back or made accessible once again. In contrast, resuming signifies a decision or action to continue with an activity or process that was previously underway, without necessarily implying a loss or removal.
In the context of technology, retrieving could refer to accessing data or files from a storage medium, while resuming could describe restarting a computer program or returning to a task after an interruption. Both processes are essential for the efficient functioning of systems and workflows.
The concepts of retrieve and resume, while distinct, can intersect in scenarios where one resumes a process or activity by retrieving the necessary resources, information, or conditions that were previously set aside or interrupted.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Getting something back or regaining possession.
Starting again after a pause or interruption.
Application
Can apply to objects, data, or information.
More about actions, processes, or states of being.
Requirement
Involves searching or locating.
Signifies a decision or action to continue.
Context
Often used in the context of recovery or access.
Used in the context of continuation or return to activity.
Technology Example
Accessing data from a database.
Restarting a paused software application.
Compare with Definitions
Retrieve
To get back something lost.
Retrieving a lost pet requires a search effort.
Resume
To continue after a pause.
The meeting will resume after the break.
Retrieve
Can be physical or digital.
Libraries help patrons retrieve books and articles.
Resume
Signals a restart or return.
She resumed her studies after a year abroad.
Retrieve
Requires identifying and locating.
Retrieving old emails can require sorting through archives.
Resume
Often involves preparation.
Resuming production required recalibrating machinery.
Retrieve
Involves accessing stored information.
The system retrieves data from the archive.
Resume
Applies to activities or processes.
You can resume watching a movie where you left off.
Retrieve
Essential for data management.
Effective data retrieval systems are crucial for businesses.
Resume
Critical for workflow efficiency.
Quick resumption of services is vital after a system failure.
Retrieve
Get or bring (something) back from somewhere
Steven stooped and retrieved his hat
I was sent to retrieve the balls from his garden
Resume
Begin again or continue after a pause or interruption
A day later normal service was resumed
The talks resumed in April
Retrieve
Find or extract (information stored in a computer)
Other features include the ability to store, update, retrieve, and print your data
Resume
A summary
I gave him a quick résumé of events
Retrieve
Put right or improve (an unwelcome situation)
He made one last desperate attempt to retrieve the situation
Resume
Another term for curriculum vitae
Retrieve
An act of retrieving something, especially game that has been shot
Watch the dog make the long retrieves
Resume
A brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications, often submitted with an employment application.
Retrieve
The possibility of recovery
He ruined himself beyond retrieve
Resume
A summary
A résumé of the facts of the case.
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.
Resume
To begin or take up again after interruption
Resumed our dinner.
Retrieve
To go to and bring or escort back (someone)
Retrieved his friend from the bus station.
Resume
To assume, take, or occupy again
The dog resumed its post by the door.
Retrieve
To search for, find, and bring back
Divers retrieving artifacts from a shipwreck.
Resume
To take on or take back again
Resumed my original name.
Retrieve
To search for, find, and carry back (killed game or a thrown object). Used of dogs.
Resume
To begin again or continue after interruption.
Retrieve
To gain access to (stored information).
Resume
To take back possession of (something).
Retrieve
To recall to mind (a memory, for example); remember.
Resume
To summarise.
Retrieve
To rescue or save
Tried to retrieve him from the degradation of life as a runaway.
Resume
(transitive) To start (something) again that has been stopped or paused from the point at which it was stopped or paused; continue, carry on.
We will resume this discussion tomorrow at nine.
Retrieve
(Sports) To make a difficult but successful return of (a ball or shuttlecock, as in tennis or badminton).
Resume
(intransitive) To start again after an interruption or pause.
Normal service has resumed.
Retrieve
To restore to a former or desirable condition
Did whatever he could to retrieve his honor.
Resume
A summary or synopsis.
Retrieve
To rectify the unfavorable consequences of; remedy
"An attempt was made to retrieve the blunder" (Francis Parkman).
Resume
A summary or account of education and employment experiences and qualifications; a curriculum vitae (often for presentation to a potential future employer when applying for a job).
Retrieve
To find and bring back game or a thrown object
A dog trained to retrieve.
Resume
A summing up; a condensed statement; an abridgment or brief recapitulation.
The exellent little résumé thereof in Dr. Landsborough's book.
Retrieve
The act of retrieving; retrieval.
Resume
To take back.
The sun, like this, from which our sight we have,Gazed on too long, resumes the light he gave.
Perhaps God will resume the blessing he has bestowed ere he attains the age of manhood.
Retrieve
(Sports) A difficult but successful return of a ball or shuttlecock.
Resume
To enter upon, or take up again.
Reason resumed her place, and Passion fled.
Retrieve
(transitive) To regain or get back something.
To retrieve one's character or independence; to retrieve a thrown ball
Resume
To begin again; to recommence, as something which has been interrupted; as, to resume an argument or discourse.
Retrieve
(transitive) To rescue (a creature).
Resume
Short descriptive summary (of events)
Retrieve
(transitive) To salvage something
Resume
A summary of your academic and work history
Retrieve
(transitive) To remedy or rectify something.
Resume
Take up or begin anew;
We resumed the negotiations
Retrieve
(transitive) To remember or recall something.
Resume
Return to a previous location or condition;
The painting resumed its old condition when we restored it
Retrieve
(transitive) To fetch or carry back something, especially (computing) a file or data record.
Resume
Assume anew;
Resume a title
Resume an office
Resume one's duties
Retrieve
(transitive) To fetch and bring in game.
The cook doesn't care what's shot, only what's actually retrieved.
Resume
Give a summary (of);
He summed up his results
I will now summarize
Retrieve
(intransitive) To fetch and bring in game systematically.
Dog breeds called 'retrievers' were selected for retrieving.
Retrieve
(intransitive) To fetch or carry back systematically, notably as a game.
Most dogs love retrieving, regardless of what object is thrown.
Retrieve
To make a difficult but successful return of the ball.
Retrieve
(obsolete) To remedy the evil consequence of, to repair (a loss or damage).
Retrieve
A retrieval
Retrieve
(sports) The return of a difficult ball
Retrieve
(obsolete) A seeking again; a discovery.
Retrieve
(obsolete) The recovery of game once sprung.
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.
Retrieve
To recall; to bring back.
To retrieve them from their cold, trivial conceits.
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.
Retrieve
To discover and bring in game that has been killed or wounded; as, a dog naturally inclined to retrieve.
Retrieve
A seeking again; a discovery.
Retrieve
The recovery of game once sprung; - an old sporting term.
Retrieve
Get or find back; recover the use of;
She regained control of herself
She found her voice and replied quickly
Retrieve
Of trained dogs
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
Common Curiosities
Is resume always about returning to a previous state?
Yes, it involves returning to or continuing with an activity or process that was paused or interrupted.
What does resume imply in a work context?
In a work context, it implies continuing with a task or project after an interruption.
What does it mean to retrieve something?
It means to get back something that was lost or to access stored information.
How is retrieving different from finding?
Retrieving implies a process of recovery or access, often of something previously known or possessed, while finding can refer to discovering something for the first time.
What might cause an activity to resume?
Activities might resume after breaks, interruptions, or upon completion of preparations.
Can you retrieve a situation?
Typically, retrieve is used for objects, information, or specific conditions, rather than abstract situations.
Can retrieve be used in a digital context?
Yes, it often refers to accessing data or files from a digital storage medium.
What skills are important for effective retrieval?
Skills in searching, organizing, and understanding systems are important for effective retrieval.
How do retrieval and resume processes interact in technology?
In technology, resuming operations often involves retrieving the last known state or required data to ensure smooth continuation.
How do businesses utilize retrieval and resume processes?
Businesses utilize retrieval processes for data management and resume processes to ensure continuity in operations after pauses or interruptions.
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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.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
