retention

noun

re·​ten·​tion ri-ˈten(t)-shən 

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

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 on the Web

Using Taylor Swift as the impetus for teaching important concepts increases attention, learning, and retention. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024

Why retention may be a problem The study found Hispanic and Latino/a professionals are 41% more likely than White professionals to plan to leave their companies within a year. —Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

The company said the pay increase was meant to deal with worker retention and recruitment issues. —Bruce Schreiner, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024

Other factors, such as age, fluid retention, and stress, are more likely to cause weight gain than the pill. —Laura Dorwart, Health, 8 Apr. 2024

In marketing, the consumer lifetime value of a customer is a formula that assumes customer acquisition costs are high while customer retention costs are much lower. —Detroit Free Press, 5 Apr. 2024

Employee retention helps drive profits and improves productivity. —Jason Leverant, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

For the 2024 budget, about $2 million was allocated to phase in raises for officers and other positions identified in a countywide compensation study as necessary for retention, Weil noted. —Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2024

Idaho doctors say the law has had a chilling effect on recruitment and retention of the state’s already slim body of physicians, particularly those working in obstetrics. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

retention

noun

re·​ten·​tion ri-ˈten-chən 

1

: the act of retaining : the state of being retained

2

: power of retaining

3

: something retained

Medical Definition

retention

noun

re·​ten·​tion ri-ˈten-chən 

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

Legal Definition

retention

noun

re·​ten·​tion ri-ˈten-chən 

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