retain
rih-TAYN
Retain (verb) means to keep possession of something instead of losing or giving it up. Example: “You may retain the receipt in case you need to return the item.”
verb
1
To keep possession of something instead of losing or giving it up.
"You may retain the receipt in case you need to return the item."
"The team retained the championship title for a third year."
"This fabric retains heat well in cold weather."
2
To keep something in the memory.
"Students retain more when they revise little and often."
"I can never retain phone numbers unless I write them down."
"He struggles to retain new vocabulary after just one lesson."
3
To hire someone, especially a lawyer, by paying a fee to secure their services.
"She retained a solicitor to handle the sale of her house."
"Many families retain an accountant to help during the busy tax season."
"The company retained a top law firm for the negotiations."
How to use retain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep hold of something — a possession, a memory, or a hired professional.
Common pairings
retain a lawyer
retain information
retain control
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Word forms
- Plural
- retains
- Third person singular
- retains
- Past tense
- retained
- Archaic forms
- retainest, retainedst, retaineth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You may _____ the receipt in case you need to return the item.
Etymology
From Old French retenir, from Latin retinere, "to hold back," from re- + tenere ("to hold").
Related words
Rhymes for retain
See all rhymes for retain →Frequently asked questions
What does “retain” mean?
The word “retain” means to keep possession of something instead of losing or giving it up. In plain terms, to keep hold of something — a possession, a memory, or a hired professional.
How do you pronounce “retain”?
“Retain” is pronounced rih-TAYN (/ɹəˈteɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “retain” in a sentence?
Here is “retain” used in a sentence: “The team retained the championship title for a third year.”
What part of speech is “retain”?
“Retain” is a verb.
Where does the word “retain” come from?
The word “retain” comes from Latin. From Old French retenir, from Latin retinere, "to hold back," from re- + tenere ("to hold").
Is “retain” a common word?
“Retain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “retain” have?
“Retain” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to keep possession of something instead of losing or giving it up.
What is the difference between "retain" and "maintain"?
To "retain" means to keep possession of something rather than losing or giving it up. To "maintain" means to keep something in a particular state or condition, as in maintaining a car or a friendship.
What is the difference between "retain" and "keep"?
"Retain" and "keep" both mean to hold on to something, but "retain" is more formal and common in legal, business, and academic writing. "Keep" is the neutral, everyday choice.
Is "retain" a formal word?
Yes, "retain" is fairly formal. It appears often in legal, medical, and business contexts, such as retaining a lawyer or retaining an employee, where a plainer text might simply use "keep."
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