Overview of verb retain

The verb retain has 4 senses

• retain -- (hold back within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"; "the dam retains the water")


• retain, continue, keep, keep on -- (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")


• retain, hold, keep back, hold back -- (secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree")


• retain -- (keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information")

Overview of adj retained

The adj retained has 1 sense

• retained, maintained -- (continued in your keeping or use or memory; "in...the retained pattern of dancers and guests remembered")