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

Elsewhere in the state, the Democrats retained their Supreme Court seats and the Democrats won the Pittsburgh mayoral race, the Philadelphia district attorney election and other key races. —Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025

Under the deal, Boyu Capital will hold up to a 60% interest in Starbucks retail operations in China of over 8,000 outlets, with the coffee chain retaining a minority 40% stake and continuing to license the Starbucks brand and intellectual property to the new entity. —John Liu, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025

Republicans, who will be fighting to retain bicameral control in next year’s elections, currently hold a very slim majority in the chamber with 219 seats—and the President’s party historically loses seats during the midterms. —Solcyré Burga, Time, 5 Nov. 2025

In Pennsylvania, Democrats convinced voters to retain three state Supreme Court justices for 10-year terms. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Nov. 2025

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