Definition of Retain

1. Verb. Hold back within. "The dam retains the water"

Generic synonyms: Bear, Carry, Contain, Hold
Derivative terms: Retentive

2. Verb. Allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature. "This garment retains its shape even after many washings"
Exact synonyms: Continue, Keep, Keep On
Generic synonyms: Keep Up, Prolong, Sustain
Related verbs: Continue, Persist In
Derivative terms: Continuation

3. Verb. Secure and keep for possible future use or application. "They retain the money "; "I reserve the right to disagree"
Exact synonyms: Hold, Hold Back, Keep Back
Generic synonyms: Hold On, Keep
Specialized synonyms: Hold Down
Derivative terms: Holding, Retention

4. Verb. Keep in one's mind. "They won't retain the story "; "I cannot retain so much information"
Generic synonyms: Remember, Think Of
Derivative terms: Retention, Retentive

Definition of Retain

1. 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.

2. v. i. To belong; to pertain.

Definition of Retain

1. Verb. (transitive) To keep in possession or use. ¹

2. Verb. (transitive) To keep in one's pay or service. ¹

3. Verb. (transitive) To employ by paying a retainer. ¹

4. Verb. (transitive) To hold secure. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Retain

1. to keep possession of [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Retain

retail store
retail theft
retail therapy
retailed
retailer
retailers
retailing
retailings
retailment
retailor
retailored
retailoring
retailors
retails
retailtainment
retain (current term)
retainable
retainal
retained
retained mode
retained object
retained placenta
retainer
retainers
retaining
retaining wall
retaining walls
retainment
retainments

Literary usage of Retain

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The American Journal of Psychology by Granville Stanley Hall, Edward Bradford Titchener (1916)
"ON MEMORIZING WITH THE INTENTION PERMANENTLY TO retain By FP BOSWELL and WS ... That the intention to retain is an important factor in memorizing has been ..."

2. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann (1913)
"Napoleon attempted to make Fesch accept the See of Paris, while the latter wished to retain that of Lyons. Cardinal Maury (1746-1817), formerly a royalist ..."

3. A Treatise of Human Nature: Being an Attempt to Introduce the Experimental by David Hume (1890)
"ITo does not even retain them as ' abstract ideas.' simple feeling. For a merely sentient being, it is true—for one who did not think upon his feelings—the ..."

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