retaining
v. · adj. · n.-
1 keeping or continuing to have (v.) B2 Upper Intermediatekeeping something rather than losing it or giving it away.
the act of continuing to possess, use, or hold something; often used in business or cognitive contexts.
ExampleThe company is focused on retaining its best employees by offering better benefits.
ExampleRetaining market share in such a volatile economy requires constant innovation and a deep understanding of shifting consumer preferences.
UsageOften used as a gerund acting as the subject or object of a sentence.
-
2 holding something in place (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technicaldesigned to hold something back or keep it in a specific position.
serving to keep something in place or to restrain movement, particularly in engineering or construction.
ExampleThey built a retaining wall to stop the soil from sliding down the hill.
ExampleThe structural integrity of the terrace depends entirely on the reinforced retaining wall at the base of the slope.
UsageAlmost exclusively used before the noun it modifies, most commonly 'wall'.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
-
3 the act of keeping (n.) C1 Advanced Formalthe act of holding onto something or keeping it.
the action of retaining or the state of being retained; a synonym for retention in specific formal contexts.
ExampleThe retaining of these old records is required by law.
ExampleThe systematic retaining of historical documents ensures that future generations can study the evolution of the city's architecture.
Teacher's tipIn most modern contexts, 'retention' is the preferred noun form; 'retaining' as a noun feels more like a formal gerund.