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 form, structure or memory.

   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. Natasha Lamb:

   The SEC ruling's not simply The SEC ruling, the SEC ruling's an issue that affects performance, affects the company's ability to attract and retain top talent.

2. Émile Durkheim:

   While the State becomes inflated and hypertrophied in order to obtain a firm enough grip upon individuals, but without succeeding, the latter, without mutual relationships, tumble over one another like so many liquid molecules, encountering no central energy to retain, fix and organize them.

3. New Jersey:

   Aside from an ongoing Ethics Committee probe, the legal cloud over Menendez appears to be lifting. But he still faces political headwinds in his bid this year for a third Senate term and in his purported attempt to retain the committee post. Menendez’s net approval rating among registered voters has fallen 20 points since the start of 2017 -- the biggest decline of any senator up for 2018 reelection, according to a recent Morning Consult poll based on a survey from October through December 2017. New Jersey voters will continue to be reminded of Menendez's dishonest schemes as the election approaches in November, Republican National Committee spokesman Bob Salera recently said. If Menendez indeed reclaims his top post on the foreign relations committee, he would push aside Maryland New Jersey Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, who now occupies the ranking-member post. The liberal wing of New Jersey Democratic also has expressed concern about Menendez’s return, considering he’s regarded as more moderate than Ben Cardin. Menendez, the son of Cuban immigrants, did not support former President Barack Obama’s efforts to improve diplomatic relations with the Cuban government or the Iran nuclear deal, brokered by the Obama administration. Federal prosecutors decided two weeks ago not to retry Menendez on corruption charges, after their case ended last fall in a hung jury. Menendez, 64, was charged with trading his political influence for gifts and campaign contributions from Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen. He denied the allegations all along. The prosecutors ’ decision ended Menendez and Melgen’s 11-week trial and their roughly five-year investigation. From the very beginning, I never wavered in my innocence and my belief that justice would prevail, Menendez said after prosecutors dropped the case. I am grateful that the Department of Justice has taken the time to re-evaluate its case and come to the appropriate conclusion. However, The New Jersey Democratic senator also issued a warning last year to those who were eager to replace The New Jersey Democratic senator in the Senate. To those who were digging my political grave so they could jump into my seat, I know who you are and I wo n’t forget you.

4. Naho Morisaki:

   Japanese women tend to self-restrict weight gain even lower than current recommendations, as they think that doing so will' ease delivery' and' help them retain a better body proportion after delivery,'.

5. Mary Wortley Montagu:

   Prudent people are very happy 'tis an exceeding fine thing, that's certain, but I was born without it, and shall retain to my day of Death the Humour of saying what I think.

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