Collocations for "retain"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "retain" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
retain
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.v
- retain your [balance, integrity, dignity]
- retain [office, power, ownership]
- retain (your) [workers, staff, lawyer, identity]
- the [workers] were retained [on the same wages, as agreed, on commission]
- retain certain [rights, liberties, privileges]
- rights [must, will, should] be retained
- retained his lead (over)
- UK: retained his [seat, constituency]
- retain [half, 30%, a majority, a commission]
- retain [goods, a shipment, a delivery]
- the [goods] were retained [by customs, at the border]
- retained [under suspicion, for inspection, for tax purposes]
- retain your [receipt, check stub]
- retain [information, customs, some French]
- retain [color, water, properties]
- [a shirt, clothing] that retains its color
- the [solution, food, chemical] retains its properties
- retain [the, its] original [structure, qualities, properties]
- retain a [house, structure, column]
- the [walls, beams, pillars] retained the [structure]
'retain' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):