Definition of retain Retain
/ɹɪtejˈn/ - [riteyn] - re•tain
We found 15 definitions of retain from 4 different sources.
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What does retain mean?
WordNet
Verb |
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| retain - secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree" | ||
| hold, keep back, hold back | ||
| hold on, keep stop and wait, as if awaiting further instructions or developments; "Hold on a moment!" | ||
| hold down restrain; "please hold down the noise so that the neighbors can sleep" | ||
| retain - keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information" | ||
| think of, remember look on as or consider; "she looked on this affair as a joke"; "He thinks of himself as a brilliant musician"; "He is reputed to be intelligent" | ||
| retain - 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" | ||
| continue, keep, keep on | ||
| prolong, keep up, sustain lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer; "We prolonged our stay"; "She extended her visit by another day"; "The meeting was drawn out until midnight" | ||
| retain - hold back within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"; "the dam retains the water" | ||
| contain, bear, hold, carry be capable of holding or containing; "This box won't take all the items"; "The flask holds one gallon" | ||
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Wiktionary 
Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘
- retain (v. t.)
To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape, or the like. - retain (v. t.)
To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor. - retain (v. t.)
To restrain; to prevent. - retain (v. i.)
To belong; to pertain. - retain (v. i.)
To keep; to continue; to remain.
Part of speech
🔤- retain, verb, present, 1st person singular of retain (infinitive).
- retain, verb (infinitive).
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