retain

/rɪˈteɪn/

/rɪˈteɪn/

Other forms: retained; retaining; retains

Retain means to hold on to or keep. People who can retain a lot of information are often mistaken for geniuses, but really they just have very good memories.

To retain is to keep or maintain, whether in mind, possession or a certain condition. If you have a great personal assistant, you'll probably want to retain him for as long as you can. If your body is retaining water you might look a little plump. The verbs restrain and detain sound similar, but they mean to keep something by force.

Definitions of retain

1. verb

   secure and keep for possible future use or application
   “The landlord retained the security deposit”

   synonyms: hold, hold back, keep back

   types:

   hold down

   keep

   type of:

   hold on, keep

   retain possession of
2. verb

   hold back within
   “This soil retains water”

   “I retain this drug for a long time”

   “the dam retains the water”

   type of:

   bear, carry, contain, hold

   contain or hold; have within
3. verb

   keep in one's mind
   “I cannot retain so much information”

   type of:

   remember, think of

   keep in mind for attention or consideration
4. verb

   allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature
   “She retains a lawyer”

   “She retained her composure”

   “this garment retains its shape even after many washings”

   synonyms: continue, keep, keep on

   continue, persist in

   do something repeatedly and showing no intention to stop

   type of:

   keep up, prolong, sustain

   lengthen or extend in duration or space