retainer

1 of 2

noun (1)

re·​tain·​er ri-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce retainer (audio)
1
a
: a person attached or owing service to a household
especially : servant
b
2
: one that retains
3
: a device or structure that holds something in place: such as
a
: the part of a dental replacement (such as a bridge) by which it is made fast to adjacent natural teeth
b
: a dental appliance used to hold teeth in correct position especially following orthodontic treatment

retainer

2 of 2

noun (2)

1
: the act of a client by which the services of a lawyer, counselor, or adviser are engaged
2
: a fee paid to a lawyer or professional adviser for advice or services or for a claim on services when needed

Examples of retainer in a Sentence

Noun (1) knights being dressed for battle by their retainers lifelong civil service retainers
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.
Noun
Many small firms were unfamiliar with digital marketing and couldn't afford agencies to support them on a retainer. Alison Coleman, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 One demanded a $5,000 retainer, another was unable to assist outside of asylum law, and the third pressured them for payment during the initial consultation. Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 July 2025 Agencies collect monthly retainers while crossing their fingers that editors will bite on their story angles. Ascend Agency, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2025 For their work, Tai Ginsberg bills a monthly retainer of $45,000, plus another $10,000 a month for Raucci and Sullivan. Sarah Freishtat, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for retainer

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English reteigner, literally, retention, from Anglo-French, from reteigner, verb

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of retainer was in 1508

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retainer. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

retainer

1 of 2 noun
re·​tain·​er ri-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce retainer (audio)
: a fee paid (as to a lawyer) for advice or services or for a claim upon services in case of need

retainer

2 of 2 noun
1
: a servant or follower in a wealthy household
2
: one that retains
3
: a usually removable dental device used to hold teeth in correct position especially following orthodontic treatment (as with braces)

called also bite plate

Medical Definition

retainer

noun
re·​tain·​er ri-ˈtān-ər How to pronounce retainer (audio)
1
: the part of a dental replacement (as a bridge) by which it is made fast to adjacent natural teeth
2
: a dental appliance used to hold teeth in their correct position especially following orthodontic treatment

Legal Definition

retainer

noun
re·​tain·​er ri-ˈtā-nər How to pronounce retainer (audio)
1
: the act of a client by which the services of a lawyer are engaged
2
: a fee paid to a lawyer for advice or services or for a claim on services when needed
Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French retener act of engaging or employing, from retener, retenir to engage, retain

More from Merriam-Webster on retainer

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