retain
v.-
1 to keep or continue to have (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Formalto keep something or continue to have it rather than losing it or giving it away.
to continue to possess or enjoy a quality, right, or feature; to keep something in place rather than abolishing or losing it.
ExampleThe company managed to retain most of its customers despite the price increase.
ExampleThe historic building has managed to retain many of its original features, including the ornate stained-glass windows and hand-carved wooden doors.
UsageTransitive verb taking a direct object.
-
2 to remember information (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Educationto keep facts or information in your mind.
to keep information in the memory; to absorb and hold knowledge over time.
ExampleI find it hard to retain all these new vocabulary words without practicing them.
ExampleStudents who engage in active recall are significantly more likely to retain complex scientific concepts than those who rely on passive reading.
UsageOften used in academic contexts regarding learning and cognitive psychology.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
-
3 to hold inside (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Scienceto hold or keep a substance inside, like a sponge holding water.
to hold or keep a substance within a physical body or structure.
ExampleCertain types of soil retain water much better than others.
ExampleThe patient was advised to reduce salt intake because his body was starting to retain too much fluid.
UsageCommon in medical and environmental science contexts.
-
4 to hire a professional (v.) C1 Advanced Formal Technical Lawto pay a professional, like a lawyer, to work for you when you need them.
to secure the services of a professional, especially a legal consultant, by paying a preliminary fee.
ExampleThe family decided to retain a lawyer to help them with the contract.
ExampleThe corporation moved to retain a top-tier legal firm to represent them in the upcoming patent dispute.
UsageUsually refers to the act of paying a 'retainer' fee to keep a professional available.
From Late Middle English reteinen, retein (“to continue to keep, retain; to continue to possess; to possess; to contain; to draw back, retire; to hold back, restrain; to keep in mind, remember; to take back, repossess; to appoint; to engage in one’s service, employ, hire”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman reteiner, retenir [and other forms], Middle French retenir, and Old French retenir (“to keep back, retain; to keep, maintain, preserve; to possess; to engage in one’s service, employ; to detain; to hold back, restrain; to remember”) (modern French retenir), from Vulgar Latin retinīre, from Latin retinēre, the present active infinitive of retineō (“to keep or hold back, detain, retain; to hold in check, stop; to hold fast, maintain; to keep in mind, remember”) (compare Late Latin retineō (“to keep engaged in one’s service”)), from re- (prefix meaning ‘again’) + teneō (“to grasp, hold; to hold fast, restrain; to possess; to keep in mind, remember”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ten- (“to extend, stretch”)). Etymology 1 sense 1.10 (“to declare (a sin) not forgiven”) is derived from John 20:23 in the Bible, in Late Latin quorum retinueritis, retenta sunt, and in Koine Greek ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται: see the 1526 quotation. Cognates * Catalan retenir * Italian retenere (obsolete), ritenere * Portuguese reter * Spanish retener
Partly: * from Middle English retein, retain (“possession of a sum of money”) […]; and * from the verb (see etymology 1).