retain

/rɪˈteɪn/ formal

Say it: ri-TAYN

1. verb To continue to have or keep possession of something.
Despite offers to sell, the family decided to retain ownership of the company.
2. verb To keep something in one's memory or mind.
He has an amazing ability to retain facts and figures.
3. verb To hold or keep something in place, often against pressure.
The dam was built to retain water for the town's supply.
4. verb To hire a professional, especially a lawyer, by paying an initial fee.
If you are facing criminal charges, you should retain a lawyer immediately.

📖 Seen in the wild

Despite the company's financial difficulties, it managed to retain its most talented employees.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ retain in a sentence

The company struggled to retain its top employees after the merger.
This special fabric is designed to retain heat in cold weather.
The champion fought hard to retain his title for a third consecutive year.
She could no longer retain her composure and burst into tears.
The community is fighting to retain the historic character of the neighborhood.
After the lecture, I could only retain a few key concepts.
The terms of the agreement allow us to retain the rights to the original software.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

keep maintain preserve hold reserve secure withhold

keep · a more common and less formal word for general use.

maintain · suggests keeping something in a particular state or condition.

preserve · implies protecting something from harm, decay, or loss.

hold · often implies physical possession or a firm grip.

Opposites: lose, discard, relinquish, release, forfeit

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'retain' traces back to the Latin 'retinēre', meaning 'to hold back' or 'keep'. This came from the prefix 're-', meaning 'back', combined with 'tenēre', 'to hold'. It entered English through Old French, and its meaning has remained remarkably consistent, always centered on the core idea of holding onto something, whether it's a physical object, a memory, or a person's services.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

retain controlretain a lawyerretain informationretain moistureretain the titleretain employees

'Retain' is a strong, formal alternative to 'keep'. It often carries the connotation of actively working to prevent the loss of something valuable, such as talent, control, or information. Because of its formal register, it can sound out of place in casual speech; you would 'keep' a souvenir, not 'retain' it. The word has a very specific meaning in a legal context when you 'retain a lawyer' by paying a retainer fee.

Word family: retention, retentive, retainer

💬 Quick answers

What does 'retain' mean?

To retain something means to continue to have it or keep it in your possession. This can apply to physical objects, information in your memory, or the services of a professional.

What is the difference between 'retain' and 'keep'?

'Retain' is more formal than 'keep' and often implies a deliberate effort to hold onto something that might otherwise be lost. While you might 'keep' a promise, a company would 'retain' its market share.

Is 'retain' a formal word?

Yes, 'retain' is generally considered a formal word. It is appropriate for business, academic, and legal writing but can sound overly formal in casual conversation.

What does it mean to 'retain a lawyer'?

This is a specific legal phrase that means to hire a lawyer by paying a fee called a 'retainer'. This fee secures the lawyer's future services.

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