Retain Definition & Meaning

retain
verb
  1. hold back within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"; "the dam retains the water"
  2. allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature; "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long as we could"; "She retained her composure"; "this garment retains its shape even after many washings"
  3. secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"
  4. keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information"

Synonyms for retain

continue verb

continue a certain state, condition, or activity; "Keep on working!"; "We continued to work into the night

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
engage verb

carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in; "She pursued many activities

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
hold noun

the act of grasping; "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he has a strong grip for an old man

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
keep noun

the financial means whereby one lives; "each child was expected to pay for their keep

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
reserve noun

formality and propriety of manner something kept back or saved for future use or a special purpose an athlete who plays

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms

"Retain" in song lyrics

See how retain is used in real songs:

  • "Material things they couldn't retain"
    2 Live Crew — You Got Larceny
  • "Shout the name then disappear like no-ones, but I'll remain and I'll retain"
    The Grouch — Struggle Baby
  • "Has a lot of good advice to retain"
    Jedi Mind Tricks — Target Practice

Words that rhyme with retain

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Usage tips for "retain"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "retain" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for retain to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with retain ↔ Synonyms for retain 🔬 Words containing retain

Frequently asked questions

What does retain mean?
hold back within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"; "the dam retains the water" allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature; "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long as we could"; "She retained her composure
What part of speech is retain?
Retain is a verb.
How many definitions does retain have?
Retain has 4 definitions across 1 part of speech (verb).

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