retain

verb

re·​tain ri-ˈtān 

retained; retaining; retains

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

• keep
• hold
• preserve
• possess

Choose the Right Synonym for retain

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

The New York Jets retained first-year coach Aaron Glenn, whose roster was less than stellar, but his coaching mishaps did not help. —Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

The process allows regulators to exchange experience and provide consolidated feedback to the developer while each country retains full responsibility for its own licensing decisions. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Jan. 2026

The bank is applying lessons from the Veritex deal, including early leadership decisions and clear communication around systems conversions, to retain employees and customers during transitions. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026

The rooms The layout of the building, coupled with the adventurous sense of the designers, means that most of the 75 rooms and suites retain a sense of individuality within a subtly coherent vision. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for retain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

retain

verb

re·​tain ri-ˈtān 

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 

1

: to hold or keep in

retain fluids

2

: to keep in mind or memory

Legal Definition

retain

transitive verb

re·​tain ri-ˈtān 

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