retainer

1 of 2

noun (1)

re·​tain·​er ri-ˈtā-nər 

1

a

: a person attached or owing service to a household

especially : 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

Noun (1)

• daily [British]
• domestic
• flunky
• flunkey
• flunkie
• lackey
• menial
• servant
• steward

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

But a retainer is still a samurai—the term refers to a vassal in feudal Japan, usually a samurai offering military services. —Chantelle Lee, TIME, 16 May 2024

Each time, he was asked if the description on the invoice — denoting a retainer for that month — was accurate. —Graham Kates, CBS News, 14 May 2024

Although the exact nature of Suarez’s statement to the SEC is unknown, the agency’s probe generally focuses on the mayor’s contract with the developer, the nature of his work and his compensation beyond the retainer. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 6 May 2024

Prosecutors said that payments to Ms. Cuellar’s shell companies, in the form of retainers worth $30,000 to $60,000, slowed after the public disclosure of the Baku trip in 2015. —Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 3 May 2024

There were 219 inmates with an immigration retainer in late March, Hoy said. —Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 May 2024

But Cohen has testified there was no retainer and Trump directed the payments to women. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

Specifically, it is alleged that Donald Trump made or concerned false business records to hide the true nature of payments to Michael Cohen, by characterizing them as payment for legal services rendered pursuant to a retainer agreement. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2024

Security cameras have picked up images of rats prancing on retainer walls, neighbors say. —Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

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

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