retainverb [ T ]
uk/rɪˈteɪn/us/rɪˈteɪn/C2 formal to keep or continue to have something:
She has lost her battle to retain control of the company.
He managed to retain his dignity throughout the performance.
She succeeded in retaining her lead in the second half of the race.
I have a good memory and am able to retain (= remember) facts easily.
formal If a substance retains something, such as heat or water, it continues to hold or contain it:
The sea retains the sun's warmth longer than the land.
See also
retention
specialized law to get the services of a lawyer by paying them before you need them
More examples
- He will retain the honorary title of non-executive chairman.
- These plants need a rich soil which retains moisture.
- When they divorced she retained a legal interest in the property.
- The villagers retain a strong attachment to their traditional customs.
- The management retains the right to refuse admission.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Keeping and storing things
- appropriate
- aside
- bank
- capture
- cling
- cling (on) to sth
- earmark
- lay
- lay sth in
- maintain
- pack sth away
- put sth away
- repository
- reserve
- storage
- store
- store sth up
- stow
- stow (sth) away
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Applying for a job