Definitions for retain
rɪˈteɪnre·tain

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. retain(verb)

   hold back within

   "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"; "the dam retains the water"

2. retain, continue, keep, keep on(verb)

   allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature

   "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long as we could"; "She retained her composure"; "this garment retains its shape even after many washings"

3. retain, hold, keep back, hold back(verb)

   secure and keep for possible future use or application

   "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"

4. retain(verb)

   keep in one's mind

   "I cannot retain so much information"

Wiktionary(4.75 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. retain(Verb)

   To keep in possession or use.

2. retain(Verb)

   To keep in one's pay or service.

3. retain(Verb)

   To employ by paying a retainer.

4. retain(Verb)

   To hold secure.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Retain(verb)

   to continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape, or the like

2. Retain(verb)

   to keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor

3. Retain(verb)

   to restrain; to prevent

4. Retain(verb)

   to belong; to pertain

5. Retain(verb)

   to keep; to continue; to remain

Freebase(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. RETAIN

   RETAIN is a mainframe based database system, accessed via IBM 3270 terminals, used internally within IBM providing service support to IBM field personnel and customers. The acronym RETAIN stands for REmote Technical Assistance Information Network.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Retain

   rē-tān′, v.t. to keep in possession: to detain: to employ by a fee paid: to restrain: to keep up, as to retain a custom: to keep in mind.—adj. Retain′able, that may be retained.—ns. Retain′er, one who is retained or kept in service: a dependant, but higher than a servant: a sutler: a retaining fee; Retain′ership; Retain′ment.—Retaining fee, the advance fee paid to a lawyer to defend a cause; Retaining wall, a wall to prevent a bank from slipping down.—General retainer, a fee to secure a priority of claim on a counsel's services; Special retainer, a fee for a particular case. [Fr.,—L. retinēre—re-, back, tenēre, to hold.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. retain

   To keep a specific type of state.

   The memory stick retained its memory and the data that was saved onto it.

   Submitted by MaryC on January 7, 2020  

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'retain' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #3773

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'retain' in Written Corpus Frequency: #4493

3. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'retain' in Verbs Frequency: #317

Anagrams for retain »

1. tin ear

2. retina

How to pronounce retain?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say retain in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of retain in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of retain in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of retain in a Sentence

1. Mark Astrachan:

   One of my concerns is how Coty will retain and attract talent.

2. Junichiro Koizumi:

   I would like to study how we will scrap them, not how to retain them.

3. Miguel de Cervantes:

   My heart is wax moulded as she pleases, but enduring as marble to retain.

4. Vanna Bonta:

   Humility is the ability to give up your pride and still retain your dignity.

5. Jon Marinelli:

   The decision becomes do you hold your nose and sell, or do you retain the asset.

Images & Illustrations of retain

Popularity rank by frequency of use