retainer

1 of 2

noun (1)

re·​tain·​er ri-ˈtā-nər 

1

a

: a person attached or owing service to a household

especially, old-fashioned : servant

b

: employee

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

Synonyms of retainer

Noun (1)

• servant
• maid

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

Noun

This was separate from the $50,000-a-month retainer Globovision had with Ballard Partners to lobby on its behalf. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2026

His work spans the Alternative department as well as the agency’s brand retainer clients. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2026

But, shoppers without a glam team on retainer are impressed, too. —Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 18 Jan. 2026

These are common in personal injury cases, because the clients often don’t have the wherewithal to pay a lawyer’s retainer fee in advance. —Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for retainer

• abstainer
• campaigner
• complainer
• container
• coplanar
• detainer
• maintainer
• nonplanar
• sustainer
• entertainer
• gainer
• plainer

Kids Definition

retainer

1 of 2 noun

re·​tain·​er ri-ˈtā-nər 

: 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 

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 

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