a full and formal withdrawal of a prior statement
a good first step," McClellan said after Newsweek issued its statement
a statement withdrawing and repudiating the allegedly defamatory allegations
A publication's withdrawal of a previously-published story or fact. ("The _Times_ retracted their comments on the man.")
A retraction is a public statement, either in print, or by verbal statement that is made to correct a previously made statement that was incorrect, invalid, or in error. The intent of a public retraction is to correct any incorrect information.