retain

[ ri-teyn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to keep possession of.

   Synonyms: preserve, hold

   Antonyms: lose, loose

2. to continue to use, practice, etc.:

   to retain an old custom.

3. to continue to hold or have:

   to retain a prisoner in custody; a cloth that retains its color.

4. to keep in mind; remember.

   Antonyms: forget

5. to hold in place or position.
6. to engage, especially by payment of a preliminary fee:

   to retain a lawyer.

7. Medicine/Medical. to keep in the body, especially abnormally; fail to eliminate:

   I was referred to a specialty clinic and they discovered that I was retaining urine.

retain

/ rɪˈteɪn /

verb

1. to keep in one's possession
2. to be able to hold or contain

   soil that retains water

3. (of a person) to be able to remember (information, facts, etc) without difficulty
4. to hold in position
5. to keep for one's future use, as by paying a retainer or nominal charge

   to retain one's rooms for the holidays

6. law to engage the services of (a barrister) by payment of a preliminary fee
7. (in selling races) to buy back a winner that one owns when it is auctioned after the race
8. (of racehorse trainers) to pay an advance fee to (a jockey) so as to have prior or exclusive claims upon his services throughout the season

Derived Forms

• reˈtainment, noun
• reˈtainable, adjective

Other Words From

• re·tain·a·ble adjective
• re·tain·a·bil·i·ty [ri-tey-n, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], re·tain·a·ble·ness noun
• re·tain·ment noun
• non·re·tain·a·ble adjective
• non·re·tain·ment noun
• un·re·tain·a·ble adjective
• un·re·tain·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retain¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English reteinen, from Old French retenir, from Latin retinēre “to hold back, hold fast,” equivalent to re- re- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre “to hold”

Word History and Origins

Origin of retain¹

C14: from Old French retenir , from Latin retinēre to hold back, from re- + tenēre to hold

Synonym Study

See keep.

Example Sentences

The savings will be retained in defence and all personnel will be redeployed or retrained, Healy said.

From BBC

Scotland, meanwhile, have the play-offs to look forward to next year as they look to retain their place in League A.

From BBC

It retains a very pterodactyloid-like head and neck, but also shows a longer wrist, and a shorter toe and tail than earlier darwinopterans but these are not as extreme as those seen in the pterodactyloids.

From Science Daily

On Monday, Netflix showcased its latest slate of international original programs, which are a key part of its strategy to attract and retain subscribers around the world.

From Los Angeles Times

During the trial, a liability expert retained by Luna’s attorney, Arash Zabetian, said he had reviewed thousands of city documents and found no standards for inspecting the lights on a regular basis.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absorb
• cling to
• contain
• enjoy
• have
• hold
• keep
• maintain
• own
• possess
• preserve
• recognize