Retain meaning

What does “retain” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“retain” is a verb with 4 meanings. Its most common meaning is: hold back within.

retain

hold back within
“This soil retains water”
“I retain this drug for a long time”
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”
Synonymscontinue keep keep on
secure and keep for possible future use or application
“The landlord retained the security deposit”
“I reserve the right to disagree”
Synonymshold keep back hold back
keep in one's mind
“I cannot retain so much information”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University