retention

noun

Definition of retentionnext
as in maintenance
the act of keeping something or someone The company's rate of employee retention is 80 percent.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of retention The lack of these workers can limit disease investigation, hazard identification and emergency preparedness, the report found, warning that hiring and retention problems are likely to persist in the future. — Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2026 Reinwald, an external affairs officer for the California State Treasurer’s Office, emphasized career training, teacher retention and school safety. — Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026 Her plans include addressing shortages in the county's police, fire and corrections departments through recruitment, retention and workforce support. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026 Flock is reducing its standard data retention window from 30 days to seven, with the caveat that data can be retained longer if police attach it to a case number. — Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retention
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retention
  1. maintenance
  2. retaining
  3. ownership
  4. support
  5. control
Noun
  • The organization also offers free monthly home maintenance workshops to help homeowners tackle basic preventative repairs and vet contractors.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Volvo Penta said the actual maintenance requirements and costs would depend on how the machine is used.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of maintenance
Noun
  • Older people have a harder time producing, retaining, and circulating body heat.
    — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
  • The fabric is the smooth, soft feel that Lululemon is famous for, while still being breathable, sweat-wicking, and shape-retaining.
    — Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2026
Definition of retaining
Noun
  • The cart is available for an annual fee of $144, with AAW retaining ownership of the cart, according to West Hartford officials.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 11 Nov. 2026
  • But there are ownership gaps in the Schiele case, and the family has a version of events that the Art Institute contests.
    — Kelley Engelbrecht, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of ownership
Noun
  • So the players, coaches and support personnel deplaned and the team’s bus driver — who had already started the return trip to Lawrence — turned around and came back to Topeka.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 14 Nov. 2026
  • The letter argues that Democrats' midterm victories reflected support for policies including Medicare for All and higher taxes on the wealthy, and says Schumer is not the right person to advance those priorities.
    — Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • Federal law does not require airlines to provide meal or hotel vouchers to passengers when a cancellation is caused by factors outside of an airline’s control.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2026
  • There are no doors, just a seat, a steering wheel and a flight stick, with every control switched off except two buttons.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of control

Browse Nearby Words

reteaching
retention
retentive
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Cite this Entry

“Retention.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retention. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on retention

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about retention

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