retaining

UK: /rɪˈteɪnɪŋ/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•tain /rɪˈteɪn/   v. [~ + object]

1. to keep possession of:
   He retained his balance.
2. to continue to hold or have:
   clothing that retains its color.
3. to keep in mind;
   remember:
   He was good at retaining what he needed for a test.
4. to hire, esp. by payment of a preliminary fee:
   to retain a lawyer.

See -tain-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

re•tain  (ri tān′), v.t. 

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

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

re•tain′a•ble, adj. 
re•tain′a•bil′i•ty, re•tain′a•ble•ness, n. 
re•tain′ment, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. hold, preserve. See keep. 

Antonyms

• 1. loose, lose.
• 4. forget.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

retain / rɪˈteɪn/ verb (transitive)

1. to keep in one's possession
2. to be able to hold or contain: soil that retains water
3. (of a person) to be able to remember (information, facts, etc) without difficulty
4. to hold in position
5. to keep for one's future use, as by paying a retainer or nominal charge
6. to engage the services of (a barrister) by payment of a preliminary fee

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French retenir, from Latin retinēre to hold back, from re- + tenēre to hold

reˈtainable adjective

reˈtainment noun