Main Entry:

re·ten·tion

Pronunciation:

\ri-ˈten(t)-shən\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English retencioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin retention-, retentio, from retinēre to retain — more at retain

Date:

14th century

1 a: the act of retaining : the state of being retained b: abnormal retaining of a fluid or secretion in a body cavity2 a: power of retaining : retentiveness b: an ability to retain things in mind ; specifically : a preservation of the aftereffects of experience and learning that makes recall or recognition possible3: something retained