Verb: retain ri'teyn
- Allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature
"She retains a lawyer"; "this garment retains its shape even after many washings";
- continue, keep, keep on
- Secure and keep for possible future use or application
"The landlord retained the security deposit";
- hold, keep back, hold back
- Keep in one's mind
"I cannot retain so much information"
- Hold back within
"the dam retains the water"; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"
Derived forms: retained, retains, retaining
Type of: bear, carry, contain, hold, hold on, keep, keep up, prolong, remember, sustain, think of
Encyclopedia: Retain