retained

[ri-teynd]

adjective

1. not lost, destroyed, released, sold, or given away; kept.

   The vendor overvalued both the sold 1,790 acres and the retained 566 acres of Green Meadows.

2. kept in use or practice; continued or preserved.

   We are proud of the retained traditions of entrepreneurship of our ancestors, their respectful and careful attitude to land and craft.

3. (of something perceived or learned) remembered or kept in mind.

   They get taught it in basic training, but without constant practice, land navigation is not a retained skill for the average soldier.

4. engaged for service, often by payment of a preliminary fee.

   To apply for this opportunity in confidence, send your resume and remuneration details to the retained consultants, Kirk & Paulson Consulting Ltd., for an initial interview.

5. kept in check or held in place; held back.

   On completion of the dam, the retained water was diverted for irrigation via two canals.

6. Medicine/Medical.,  kept in the body, especially abnormally; not expelled or eliminated.

   Three weeks after delivery I was back in the hospital, seriously ill and having a D&C to remove a retained placenta.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of retain.

Other Word Forms

• unretained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retained¹

retain ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Although the bill evolved, it retained a mechanism to raise issues related to how ethnic studies is taught.

From Los Angeles Times

It was not clear if he had retained an attorney.

From Los Angeles Times

In recent years the band - who despite line-up changes have always retained a core of Roddy, Rod and drummer Colin Newton - revisited the record for a series of shows playing it in full.

From BBC

The 78-year-old, who also acted as a union rep for the retained firefighters, says he does not regret anything but firmly believes they should all receive the money they are entitled to.

From BBC

Bettag noted that even though former Paramount majority shareholder Shari Redstone was updated on “60 Minutes” stories amid the legal battle earlier this year, he believes the program retained its editorial rigor and independence.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• maintained www.thesaurus.com
• received 
• saved www.thesaurus.com