retention

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noun re·ten·tion \ ri-ˈten(t)-shən \

Definition of retention

1 a :the act of retaining :the state of being retained

b :abnormal retaining of a fluid or secretion in a body cavity

2 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 possible

3 :something retained

See retention defined for English-language learners

See retention defined for kids

Examples of retention in a Sentence

the recruitment and retention of good employees
the retention of profits from all sales
pills to offset water retention
the retention of things learned in school
They say the herb promotes memory retention.

Recent Examples of retention from the Web

A greenspace and retention pond on the low part of the campus where the main parking lot currently sits that is in a floodplain and would be more difficult to develop.

— paul gattis, AL.com, "Plan for Johnson high school campus unveiled; city officials get pushback," 30 Aug. 2017
As colleges increasingly worry about boosting their retention and graduation rates, campuses are returning to their old-school ways.

— jeffrey selingo, The Atlantic, "Why Universities Are Phasing Out Luxury Dorms," 21 Aug. 2017
While Pearce has called for the site to be reduced by an unspecified amount, both the state's Democratic senators have lobbied for its retention.

— jennifer yachnin, Science | AAAS, "Trump team nears decision on national monuments," 18 Aug. 2017
The rationale behind this public largess was — your guessed it — job retention and job creation.

— kevin riordan, Philly.com, "Mmm, mmm bad: Campbell CEO should resign from Trump's jobs council," 16 Aug. 2017
Material The most prized donabe are made with coarse clay filled with tiny fossils that vaporize in the kiln, creating little holes that are key to heat retention.

— amiel stanek, Bon Appetit, "The Cooking Pot You'll Never Want to Put in a Drawer," 2 Aug. 2017
Taylor reiterated previous statements that Peltz has offered no new ideas, but added a new criticism tied to Peltz's retention of former P&G chief financial officer Clayton Daley.

— alexander coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "P&G CEO rips hedge fund leader Peltz for joining forces with former exec," 31 July 2017
Any dollar spent beyond that – except for a $2,500 retention bonus that does not count toward the Reds' bonus pool – would incur a 75-percent tax.

— zach buchanan, The Courier-Journal, "Reds sign top pick Hunter Greene," 7 July 2017
This is common because of many factors, including muscle mass and water retention, influence weight.

— suzannah weiss, Teen Vogue, "Instagrammers Remind Us Why Weight Doesn't Matter With #ScrewTheScale," 7 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'retention.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of retention

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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RETENTION Defined for English Language Learners

retention

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noun

Definition of retention for English Language Learners

: the act of keeping someone or something
: the act of keeping extra liquid, heat, etc., inside the body
: the ability to keep something

RETENTION Defined for Kids

retention

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noun re·ten·tion \ ri-ˈten-shən \

Definition of retention for Students

1 :the act of continuing to possess, control, or hold

moisture retention

2 :the power or ability to keep or hold something

memory retention

Medical Dictionary

retention

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noun re·ten·tion \ ri-ˈten-chən \

medical Definition of retention

1 :the act of retaining: as

a :abnormal retaining of a fluid or secretion in a body cavity

retention of urine

retention of bile

b :the holding in place of a tooth or dental replacement by means of a retainer

2 :a preservation of the aftereffects of experience and learning that makes recall or recognition possible

Law Dictionary

retention

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noun re·ten·tion \ ri-ˈten-chən \

legal Definition of retention

1 :the act of retaining or the state of being retained

2 :the portion of the insurance on a particular risk not reinsured or ceded by the originating insurer

Learn More about retention

See words that rhyme with retention Spanish Central: Translation of retention Nglish: Translation of retention for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of retention for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about retention

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retention

Definition of retention

From the M-W Editors

Examples of retention in a Sentence

Recent Examples of retention from the Web

Origin and Etymology of retention

RETENTION Defined for English Language Learners

retention

Definition of retention for English Language Learners

RETENTION Defined for Kids

retention

Definition of retention for Students

Medical Dictionary

retention

medical Definition of retention

Law Dictionary

retention

legal Definition of retention

Learn More about retention

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