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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retain

   • Cached

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

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › retain

   • Cached

   verb (used with object) to keep possession of. Synonyms: preserve, hold. Antonyms: lose, loose. 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.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   to keep or continue to have something, especially a position or money, or control of something: Salespeople have developed novel ways to use the Web to reach or retain customers. You retain the right to take legal action if you do not accept his decision.

5. 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.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › retain

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   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.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   8 meanings: 1. to keep in one's possession 2. to be able to hold or contain 3. (of a person) to be able to remember.... Click for more definitions.

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

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › retain

   • Cached

   retain meaning, definition, what is retain: to keep something or continue to have so...: Learn more.