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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.vocabulary.com › dictionary › retainRetain - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › retain

   Retain means to hold on to or keep. People who can retain a lot of information are often mistaken for geniuses, but really they just have very good memories. To retain is to keep or maintain, whether in mind, possession or a certain condition.

3. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › retainretain | meaning of retain in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › retain

   • Cached

   From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English re‧tain /rɪˈteɪn/ W3 AWL verb [ transitive] formal 1 to keep something or continue to have something You have the right to retain possession of the goods. The state wants to retain control of food imports.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishretain verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

   • Cached

   1 retain something to keep something; to continue to have something synonym preserve to retain your independence He struggled to retain control of the situation. The house retains much of its original charm.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishRETAIN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   2 days ago · 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. www.thefreedictionary.com › retainRetain - definition of retain by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › retain

   • Cached

   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.

7. www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › retainRETAIN Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › retain

   • Cached

   Synonyms for RETAIN: keep, hold, preserve, possess, save, withhold, have, reserve; Antonyms of RETAIN: yield, relinquish, give, surrender, release, give up, abandon, contribute.

8. www.dictionary.com › browse › retainmentsRETAIN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › retainments

   • Cached

   verb (used with object) to keep possession of. to continue to use, practice, etc.: to retain an old custom. to continue to hold or have: to retain a prisoner in custody; a cloth that retains its color. to keep in mind; remember. to hold in place or position. to engage, especially by payment of a preliminary fee: to retain a lawyer.