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1. Dictionary

   Re·tain

   /rəˈtān/

   

   verb

   • 1. continue to have (something); keep possession of: "built in 1830, the house retains many of its original features" Similar keepkeep possession ofkeep hold ofhold ontohold fast tokeep backhang ontocling toliterary:cleave tomaintainkeepcontinuepreservereserveconserveperpetuatecherishOpposite give uploseabolishdiscontinuealter
   • ▪ not abolish or alter; maintain: "the rights of defendants must be retained" Similar maintainkeepcontinuepreservereserveconserveperpetuatecherishOpposite abolishdiscontinuealter
   • ▪ keep in one's memory: "I retained a few French words and phrases" Similar remembermemorizekeep in one's mindkeep in one's memorylearnlearn by heartget by heartcommit to memoryget down patlearn by roteimpress on the memorybecome word-perfect inrecallcall to mindrecollectthink ofsucceed in rememberingget off patarchaic:conOpposite forget
   • 2. absorb and continue to hold (a substance): "limestone is known to retain water"
   • 3. keep (something) in place; hold fixed: "the successful design of a cartridge belt requires that the cartridges in it be properly located and retained in that position"
   • 4. keep (someone) engaged in one's service: "he has been retained as a freelance" Similar employcommissioncontractpaykeep on the payrollhave in employmenthireengageappointrecruitput on the payrollsecure the services ofsign onsign uptake ontake into one's employOpposite dismiss
   • ▪ secure the services of (a person, especially an attorney) with a preliminary payment.

   Word Origin late Middle English: via Anglo-Norman French from Old French retenir, from Latin retinere, from re- ‘back’ + tenere ‘hold’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. retainability noun
   • 2. retainable adjective
   • 3. retainment noun

   Scrabble Points: 6

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2. www.dictionary.com › browse › retainRETAIN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › retain

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   Retain definition: to keep possession of.. See examples of RETAIN used in a sentence.

3. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › american_english › retainretain verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › american_english › retain

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   Definition of retain verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

4. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retainsRetains Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retains

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   The meaning of RETAIN is to keep in possession or use. How to use retain in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Retain.

5. en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › retainretain - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › retain

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   Jun 8, 2024 · From Late Middle English reteinen, retein (“ to continue to keep, retain; to continue to possess; to possess; to contain; to draw back, retire; to hold back, restrain; to keep in mind, remember; to take back, repossess; to appoint; to engage in one’s service, employ, hire ”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman reteiner, retenir [and ...

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryretain | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   retain meaning: to continue to keep something: . Learn more.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishRETAIN | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   to continue to keep something: Will this beauty queen retain her crown? (Definition of retain from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-wordRETAIN - Find out everything about this English word | Collins

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english-word

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   Definitions of 'retain'. 1. To retain something means to continue to have that thing. [formal] [...] 2. If you retain a lawyer, you pay him or her a fee to make sure that he or she will represent you when your case comes before the court. [law] [...]

9. www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › retainRetain - Definition, Meaning, Synonyms & Etymology

   www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › retain

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   Dictionary definition of retain. To keep or hold onto something, either physically or figuratively, for an extended period of time. "He managed to retain his composure despite the difficult situation." Detailed meaning of retain.

10. en.bab.la › dictionary › englishRETAIN - Definition in English - bab.la

    en.bab.la › dictionary › english

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    retain. volume_up. UK /rɪˈteɪn/ verb (with object) 1. continue to have (something); keep possession of built in 1830, the house retains many of its original features Labour retained the seat not abolish or alter; maintain the rights of defendants must be retained keep in one's memory I retained a few French words and phrases 2. absorb and ...

11. ludwig.guru › s › retainretain | English Definition & Examples | Ludwig

    ludwig.guru › s › retain

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    retain. To keep in possession or use. The word "retain" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a person or thing that keeps or holds onto something, whether it be a quality, right, memory, or possession.