# retain

/ɹiˈteɪn/ (US) · /ɹɪtˈeɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/retain
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to keep or continue to have

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to keep something or continue to have it rather than losing it or giving it away.

For teachers: to continue to possess or enjoy a quality, right, or feature; to keep something in place rather than abolishing or losing it.

- The company managed to retain most of its customers despite the price increase.
- The historic building has managed to retain many of its original features, including the ornate stained-glass windows and hand-carved wooden doors.

Usage: Transitive verb taking a direct object.

### 2. to remember information

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to keep facts or information in your mind.

For teachers: to keep information in the memory; to absorb and hold knowledge over time.

- I find it hard to retain all these new vocabulary words without practicing them.
- Students who engage in active recall are significantly more likely to retain complex scientific concepts than those who rely on passive reading.

Usage: Often used in academic contexts regarding learning and cognitive psychology.

### 3. to hold inside

verb · CEFR B2 · Technical

to hold or keep a substance inside, like a sponge holding water.

For teachers: to hold or keep a substance within a physical body or structure.

- Certain types of soil retain water much better than others.
- The patient was advised to reduce salt intake because his body was starting to retain too much fluid.

Usage: Common in medical and environmental science contexts.

### 4. to hire a professional

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

to pay a professional, like a lawyer, to work for you when you need them.

For teachers: to secure the services of a professional, especially a legal consultant, by paying a preliminary fee.

- The family decided to retain a lawyer to help them with the contract.
- The corporation moved to retain a top-tier legal firm to represent them in the upcoming patent dispute.

Usage: Usually refers to the act of paying a 'retainer' fee to keep a professional available.

## Examples

- This special fabric retains heat in the winter.
- The company introduced new benefits to retain its top talent and reduce employee turnover.
- Despite the passage of decades, he could still retain the precise details of that afternoon with astonishing clarity, as if it were yesterday.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.