retain

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”

synonym study for retain

1. See keep.

OTHER WORDS FROM retain

re·tain·a·ble, adjectivere·tain·a·bil·i·ty, re·tain·a·ble·ness, nounre·tain·ment, nounnon·re·tain·a·ble, adjective

non·re·tain·ment, nounun·re·tain·a·ble, adjectiveun·re·tained, adjectiveun·re·tain·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for retain

They’ll cook evenly in one pan, and can get crispy over high heat, though they’ll lose the varied texture they retain when cooked in larger pieces.
A guide to Brussels sprouts: How to choose, store, season and cook the versatile vegetable|Daniela Galarza|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Throughout the company’s history, he retains a sense of urgency — every day on the Internet, he insists, is Day One — and a painstaking focus on customer satisfaction.
Jeff Bezos’s thoughts on Big Business, outer space and The Washington Post|James Ledbetter|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
They retained possession when running back Carlos Hyde recovered a fumble during the drive.
Kyler Murray runs out of miracles as Seahawks hang on to take over first place in NFC West|Mark Maske|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
He retained his defenders, however, among them New York Times columnist Anthony Lewis.
Drew S. Days III, first African American to lead civil rights division at Justice Department, dies at 79|Emily Langer|November 20, 2020|Washington Post

“The personal genetic information is not transferred, retrieved, downloaded, or retained by the genetic genealogy users — including law enforcement,” the DOJ said in a news release last year.
Prince George’s will use DNA registries to solve cold cases through new DOJ grant|Katie Mettler|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Weeks retained an unparalleled legal team, which included bitter political rivals Hamilton and Burr.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The former apprentice engineer retained a lifelong interest in the way things worked.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And Goldin Solutions is not the lone U.S. firm retained by the RDIF.
Exclusive: Did This Manhattan Firm Help Shield a Russian Fund From Sanctions?|Bill Conroy|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Once appointed, supreme court nominees stand for election in order to be retained.
And Here Come 2014’s Willie Hortons|Eleanor Clift|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Schwend apparently retained one-third of the profits derived from the sale of the counterfeit money.
On the Trail of Nazi Counterfeiters|Dr. Kevin C. Ruffner|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Mrs. Dodd, the present vicar's wife, retained the precious prerogative of choosing the book to be read at the monthly Dorcas.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
The people here retained the same paganism and barbarity, only they were not so dangerous, being conquered by the Muscovites.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
Beginners must be warned against mistaking the edges of cells, or particles which have retained the red stain, for bacilli.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Then, also, the cours forcee was declared, and the gold carefully retained in the vaults of the bank.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
Formulas prepared by others are perfectly retained, however, if they are thoroughly assimilated.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)

British Dictionary definitions for retain

retain

/ (rɪˈteɪn) /

verb (tr)

to keep in one's possession

to be able to hold or containsoil that retains water

(of a person) to be able to remember (information, facts, etc) without difficulty

to hold in position

to keep for one's future use, as by paying a retainer or nominal chargeto retain one's rooms for the holidays

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

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

(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

Derived forms of retain

retainable, adjectiveretainment, noun

Word Origin for retain

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

MEANINGS

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LEARN

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retain

verb (used with object)

SYNONYMS FOR retain

ANTONYMS FOR retain

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Origin of retain

synonym study for retain

OTHER WORDS FROM retain

Example sentences from the Web for retain

British Dictionary definitions for retain

verb (tr)

Derived forms of retain

Word Origin for retain

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

retain

verb (used with object)

SYNONYMS FOR retain

ANTONYMS FOR retain

QUIZZES

WERE YOU BAMBOOZLED BY THE WORDS FROM FEBRUARY?

Origin of retain

synonym study for retain

OTHER WORDS FROM retain

Words related to retain

Example sentences from the Web for retain

British Dictionary definitions for retain

verb (tr)

Derived forms of retain

Word Origin for retain