Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   retain

   /rɪˈteɪn/

   verb

   • 1. continue to have (something); keep possession of: "built in 1830, the house retains many of its original features" Similar keepkeep possession ofkeep hold ofhold on tohold fast tokeep backhang on tocling toliterary:cleave tomaintainkeepcontinuepreservereserveconserveperpetuatecherishOpposite give uploseabolishdiscontinuealter
   • ▪ not abolish or alter; maintain: "the rights of defendants must be retained" Similar maintainkeepcontinuepreservereserveconserveperpetuatecherishOpposite abolishdiscontinuealter
   • ▪ keep in one's memory: "I retained a few French words and phrases" Similar remembermemorizekeep in one's mindkeep in one's memorylearnlearn by heartget by heartcommit to memoryget down patlearn by roteimpress on the memorybecome word-perfect inrecallcall to mindrecollectthink ofsucceed in rememberingget off patarchaic:conOpposite forget
   • 2. absorb and continue to hold (a substance): "limestone is known to retain water"
   • 3. keep (something) in place; hold fixed: "the successful design of a cartridge belt requires that the cartridges in it be properly located and retained in that position"
   • 4. keep (someone) engaged in one's service: "he has been retained as a freelance" Similar employcommissioncontractpaykeep on the payrollhave in employmenthireengageappointrecruitput on the payrollsecure the services ofsign onsign uptake ontake into one's employOpposite dismiss
   • ▪ secure the services of (a barrister) with a preliminary payment: "retain a barrister to handle the client's business"

   Word Origin late Middle English: via Anglo-Norman French from Old French retenir, from Latin retinere, from re- ‘back’ + tenere ‘hold’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. retainability noun
   • 2. retainable adjective
   • 3. retainment noun

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishRETAIN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   RETAIN definition: 1. to keep or continue to have something: 2. If a substance retains something, such as heat or…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retainRetain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retain

   • Cached

   The meaning of RETAIN is to keep in possession or use. How to use retain in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Retain.

4. www.thefreedictionary.com › retainRetain - definition of retain by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › retain

   • Cached

   1. to keep in one's possession. 2. to be able to hold or contain: soil that retains water. 3. (of a person) to be able to remember (information, facts, etc) without difficulty. 4. to hold in position.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishRETAIN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   8 meanings: 1. to keep in one's possession 2. to be able to hold or contain 3. (of a person) to be able to remember.... Click for more definitions.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › retainRETAIN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › retain

   • Cached

   (of a person) to be able to remember (information, facts, etc) without difficulty. to hold in position. to keep for one's future use, as by paying a retainer or nominal charge. to retain one's rooms for the holidays. law to engage the services of (a barrister) by payment of a preliminary fee.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › american_english › retainretain verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › american_english › retain

   • Cached

   verb. /rɪˈteɪn/ (rather formal) Verb Forms. retain something to keep something; to continue to have something synonym preserve to retain your independence He struggled to retain control of the situation. The house retains much of its original charm. She retained her tennis title for the third year. Join us.

8. www.yourdictionary.com › retainRetain Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › retain

   • Cached

   Dean gritted his teeth to retain his good mood. Her only hope was to retain his friendship. Where I took on this assignment, hoping you'd retain the part of you that makes you human?