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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

   • R

     1

   • E

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   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • I

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   • N

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

   • Cached

   RETAIN definition: to continue to keep something: . Learn more.

3. 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.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   Definition of retain – Learner’s Dictionary. retain. verb [ T ] uk / rɪˈteɪn / us. to continue to keep something: Will this beauty queen retain her crown? Want to learn more? Improve your vocabulary with English Vocabulary in Use from Cambridge. Learn the words you need to communicate with confidence.

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

   en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › retain

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   Nov 17, 2023 · To keep (something) in control or possession; to continue having (something); to keep back. To keep (something) in the mind; to recall, to remember . To keep (something) in place or use, instead of removing or abolishing it; to preserve . To engage or hire (someone), especially temporarily .

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

   en.bab.la › dictionary › english

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   retaining. retaining wall. retainment. retake. retaliate. retaliation. retaliative. Define 'RETAIN'. See more meanings of 'RETAIN' with examples.

7. 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.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › thesaurus › retainRETAIN - 33 Synonyms and Antonyms - Cambridge English

   dictionary.cambridge.org › thesaurus › retain

   • Cached

   verb. These are words and phrases related to retain. Click on any word or phrase to go to its thesaurus page. Or, go to the definition of retain. Concentrated study will help you to retain knowledge. Synonyms. keep. hold on to. hang on to. maintain.