retain

[ri-teyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to keep possession of.

   Synonyms: preserve, hold
   Antonyms: lose, loose

2. to continue to use, practice, etc..

   to retain an old custom.

3. to continue to hold or have.

   to retain a prisoner in custody; a cloth that retains its color.

4. to keep in mind; remember.

   Antonyms: forget

5. to hold in place or position.

6. to engage, especially by payment of a preliminary fee.

   to retain a lawyer.

7. Medicine/Medical.,  to keep in the body, especially abnormally; fail to eliminate.

   I was referred to a specialty clinic and they discovered that I was retaining urine.

retain

/ rɪˈteɪn /

verb

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

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 to engage the services of (a barrister) by payment of a preliminary fee

7. (in selling races) to buy back a winner that one owns when it is auctioned after the race

8. (of racehorse trainers) to pay an advance fee to (a jockey) so as to have prior or exclusive claims upon his services throughout the season

Other Word Forms

• retainment noun
• retainable adjective
• retainability noun
• retainableness noun
• nonretainable adjective
• nonretainment noun
• unretainable adjective
• unretaining adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retain¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English reteinen, from Old French retenir, from Latin retinēre “to hold back, hold fast,” equivalent to re- re- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre “to hold”

Word History and Origins

Origin of retain¹

C14: from Old French retenir , from Latin retinēre to hold back, from _re- + tenēre to hold

Synonym Study

See keep.

Example Sentences

It said the vessel's name, wheel and bell were retained along with other artifacts which will be put on display.

Read more on BBC

Mr Baker said the series being at the castle is an "integral part of the history of north Wales during the pandemic", and some items will be retained to go on display.

Read more on BBC

In 2022 it was announced he would no longer use his title of His Royal Highness, or HRH, in any official capacity - though like Harry and Meghan, he would still retain the title privately.

Read more on BBC

Burning Man Leftovers: These sculptures lack the gaudy grandeur of their relatives that are displayed annually at the festival in the Nevada desert but retain those works’ air of muesli-munching elitism.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The prince will also retain his dukedom, which can only be removed by an act of parliament, but has agreed not to use the title it confers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• absorb 
• cling to www.thesaurus.com
• contain 
• enjoy 
• have 
• hold 
• keep 
• maintain 
• own 
• possess 
• preserve 
• recognize