retain Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb hold back within
    • This soil retains water
    • I retain this drug for a long time
    • the dam retains the water
  2. verb allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature
    continue; keep on; keep.
    • 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. verb secure and keep for possible future use or application
    keep back; hold; hold back.
    • The landlord retained the security deposit
    • I reserve the right to disagree
  4. verb keep in one's mind
    • I cannot retain so much information

WordNet

Re*tain" transitive verb
Etymology
F. retainir, L. retinere; pref. re- re- + tenere to hold, keep. See Tenable, and cf. Rein of a bridle, Retention, Retinue.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Retained ; present participle & verbal noun Retaining
Definitions
  1. To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape, or the like. "Thy shape invisibleretain." Shak.
    Be obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love entire. Milton.
    An executor may retain a debt due to him from the testator. Blackstone.
  2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor.
    A Benedictine convent has now retained the most learned father of their order to write in its defense. Addison.
  3. To restrain; to prevent. Obs. Sir W. Temple. Syn. -- To keep; hold; retrain. See Keep.
Re*tain" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To belong; to pertain. Obs.
    A somewhat languid relish, retaining to bitterness. Boyle.
  2. To keep; to continue; to remain. Obs. Donne.

Webster 1913