retain

verb

re·​tain ri-ˈtān How to pronounce retain (audio)
retained; retaining; retains
Synonyms of retain

transitive verb

1
a
: to keep in possession or use
retaining old customs
The landlord may retain the deposit for any damage.
b
: to keep in one's pay or service
trying to retain good employees
specifically : to employ by paying a retainer
retained a lawyer
c
: to keep in mind or memory : remember
a remarkable ability to retain odd facts
2
: to hold secure or intact
cover to retain moisture

Synonyms of retain

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keep, retain, detain, withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control.

keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.

keep this while I'm gone

retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss.

managed to retain their dignity even in poverty

detain suggests a delay in letting go.

detained them for questioning

withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go.

withheld information from the authorities

reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use.

reserve some of your energy for the last mile

Examples of retain in a Sentence

A landlord may retain part of your deposit if you break the lease. They insisted on retaining old customs. You will retain your rights as a citizen. The TV show has retained its popularity for many years. The company's goal is to attract and retain good employees. The team failed to retain him, and he became a free agent. They have decided to retain a firm to conduct a survey. You may need to retain an attorney.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The advisor who can hand off mechanical work can see more clients, have deeper conversations and retain their relationships better. — Jerry Jihao Bai, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Prison is a place of survival and yes, the book is very keen on studying the ability to retain one’s tenderness in conditions that are intentional about callusing them. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 Southwest's move comes as carriers from Delta Air Lines to JetBlue Airways — along with credit card companies like American Express, Capital One and Chase — have been building airport lounges to reel in and retain higher-spending consumers. — Michele Luhn, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 Impressively, Fever retained the Dax's single-channel front ABS system by machining custom wheel-speed sensor discs and fabricating mounts for both the ABS module and the factory tip-over sensor. — New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retain

Word History

Etymology

Middle English reteinen, retainen, from Anglo-French retenir, reteigner, from Latin retinēre to hold back, restrain, from re- + tenēre to hold — more at thin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of retain was in the 15th century

Rhymes for retain

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Browse Nearby Words

retail store
retain
retained income
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retain. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

retain

verb
re·​tain ri-ˈtān How to pronounce retain (audio)
1
a
: to keep in possession or use
you will retain your rights as a citizen
b
: to keep in pay or in one's service
especially : to employ by paying a retainer
retain an attorney
c
: remember sense 3
I can't retain phone numbers
2
: to hold secure or unchanged
land retains heat longer than water

Medical Definition

retain

transitive verb
re·​tain ri-ˈtān How to pronounce retain (audio)
1
: to hold or keep in
retain fluids
2
: to keep in mind or memory

Legal Definition

retain

transitive verb
re·​tain ri-ˈtān How to pronounce retain (audio)
1
: to keep in possession or use
2
: to keep in one's pay or service
specifically : to employ (as a lawyer) by paying a retainer
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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