Definition

1. Verb:
   • To keep or continue to have something: To hold onto or maintain possession, control, or use of something.
   • To keep something in a particular place or condition: To hold something back or prevent it from being lost or released.
   • To keep facts or information in your mind: To remember or hold information in your memory.
   • To secure the services of someone by payment: To arrange for someone, like a professional, to work for you.

Examples of Usage

• To keep or continue to have something:
  • She managed to retain her title as champion for the third year.
  • The company aims to retain its best employees with excellent benefits.
• To keep something in a particular place or condition:
  • This container is designed to retain heat for several hours.
  • The soil here retains moisture very well.
• To keep facts or information in your mind:
  • He has a remarkable ability to retain complex historical dates.
  • I read the list but couldn't retain all the names.
• To secure the services of someone by payment:
  • They decided to retain a lawyer to handle the contract.
  • The firm retained a consultant to review its procedures.

Advanced Usage

• "To retain one's composure": To manage to stay calm and self-controlled in a difficult situation.
  • Despite the intense questioning, the witness retained her composure.
• "To retain control (of/over)": To continue to have power, authority, or influence over something.
  • The founder retained control of the company's creative direction.

Variants and Related Words

• Retention (noun): The act of retaining or the state of being retained.
  • The retention of key staff is a priority.
• Retentive (adjective): Having the ability to retain or remember things.
  • She has a very retentive memory for details.

Synonyms

• Keep: To continue to have or hold.
• Maintain: To cause something to continue in a certain state.
• Preserve: To keep something in its original state or in good condition.
• Hold: To keep or detain.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Retain" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

• "To retain a grip/hold on": To maintain control, influence, or understanding of something.
  • He struggled to retain a grip on reality after the shocking news.

Verb

1. keep in one's mind
   • I cannot retain so much information
2. secure and keep for possible future use or application
   • The landlord retained the security deposit
   • I reserve the right to disagree
3. 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
4. hold back within
   • This soil retains water
   • I retain this drug for a long time
   • the dam retains the water