retain

[ ri-teyn ]
/ rɪˈteɪn /

verb (used with object)

to keep possession of.
to continue to use, practice, etc.: to retain an old custom.
to continue to hold or have: to retain a prisoner in custody; a cloth that retains its color.
to keep in mind; remember.
to hold in place or position.
to engage, especially by payment of a preliminary fee: to retain a lawyer.

Origin of retain

1350–1400; Middle English reteinen < Old French retenir < Latin retinēre to hold back, hold fast, equivalent to re- re- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre to hold

SYNONYMS FOR retain

1 hold, preserve. See keep.

ANTONYMS FOR retain

1 loose, lose.
4 forget.

OTHER WORDS FROM retain

Words nearby retain

retail, retail politics, retail price index, retail therapy, retailing, retain, retained earnings, retained income, retained menstruation, retained object, retained object complement

British Dictionary definitions for retainability

retain
/ (rɪˈteɪn) /

verb (tr)

Derived forms of retain

retainable, adjective retainment, noun

Word Origin for retain

C14: from Old French retenir, from Latin retinēre to hold back, from re- + tenēre to hold