retain
pronunciation
How to pronounce retain in British English:
UK [rɪˈteɪn]
How to pronounce retain in American English:
US [rɪˈteɪn]
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- Verb:
- hold within
- allow to remain in a place or position
- secure and keep for possible future use or application
- keep in one's mind
Word Origin
- retain (v.)
- late 14c., "hold back, restrain;" c. 1400, "continue keeping, keep possession of," from Old French retenir "keep, retain; take into feudal service; hold back; remember" (12c.), from Latin retinere "hold back, keep back, detain, restrain," from re- "back" (see re-) + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Meaning "keep (another) attached to one's person, keep in service" is from mid-15c.; specifically of lawyers from 1540s. Meaning "keep in the mind" is from c. 1500. Related: Retained; retaining.
Example
- 1. Mr lu will retain his position at taobao .
- 2. Retail banks must also retain adequate equity .
- 3. But he worries that they struggle to retain experienced staff .
- 4. Both are fighting to retain their perch .
- 5. Healthy flies retain learned information for hours or even days .