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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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   • E

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   • T

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   • A

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   • N

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retainRetain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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   Learn the meaning, synonyms, examples, and history of the verb retain, which means to keep in possession, use, service, memory, or condition. See how to use retain in a sentence and how it differs from related words like keep, detain, and withhold.

3. People also ask

   What does it mean to retain a person?

   • 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. If you have a great personal assistant, you'll probably want to retain him for as long as you can.

   Retain - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

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   What is the meaning of retainer?

   • 2. to be able to hold or contain: soil that retains water. 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) law to engage the services of (a barrister) by payment of a preliminary fee 7.

   Retain - definition of retain by The Free Dictionary

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   What does retain mean?

   • Get a quick, free translation! RETAIN definition: 1. to keep or continue to have something: 2. If a substance retains something, such as heat or…. Learn more.

   RETAIN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/retain

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   What is the difference between retaining and detain?

   • To retain is to keep or maintain, whether in mind, possession or a certain condition. If you have a great personal assistant, you'll probably want to retain him for as long as you can. If your body is retaining water you might look a little plump. The verbs restrain and detain sound similar, but they mean to keep something by force.

   Retain - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

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4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishRETAIN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning of retain, a verb that means to keep or continue to have something, especially a position, money, or control. See how to use retain in different contexts, such as business, law, or memory, with examples and synonyms.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › retainRETAIN | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › retain

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   Learn the meaning of retain as a verb in different contexts, such as business, law, and memory. See how to use retain in sentences with synonyms, antonyms, and related words.

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

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › retain

   To retain is to keep or maintain, whether in mind, possession or a certain condition. If you have a great personal assistant, you'll probably want to retain him for as long as you can. If your body is retaining water you might look a little plump.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › retainRetain - definition of retain by The Free Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning and usage of the verb retain, which means to keep possession of, to remember, to hire, or to hold in place. See synonyms, examples, and related terms from various sources.

8. Videos

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

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   Learn the meaning of retain as a verb, with synonyms, pronunciation, and usage examples. Find out how to use retain in different contexts, such as law, insurance, or memory.

10. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionretain verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

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    Learn the meaning, pronunciation and examples of the verb retain, which means to keep, continue to have or hold something or someone. Find out the difference between retain and preserve, and how to use retain in law and computing.