retain
retain
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "retain" is /rɪˈteɪn/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
re-: /rɪ/
/r/ as in "red"
/ɪ/ as in "bit"
-tain: /ˈteɪn/
/ˈteɪ/ - a diphthong similar to the "a" in "face" but with a slight "i" sound at the end. The 'stress' mark indicates that this syllable receives the emphasis.
/n/ as in "nice"
Word Form Variations
retain (verb, present tense): He retains the information well.
retains (verb, present tense, third-person singular): She retains the information well.
retained (verb, past tense and past participle): The company retained his services. The memory was retained for years.
retaining (verb, present participle): They are retaining their customers.
retention (noun): The retention of skilled workers is crucial.
retainer (noun): The lawyer asked for a retainer. (Also can refer to something that holds something else in place, like a dental retainer.)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb:
Definition 1: To keep possession of; to hold onto.
Synonyms: Maintain, preserve, keep, hold, possess, conserve, store
Antonyms: Lose, relinquish, release, give up, forfeit, discard, expel
Definition 2: To remember or keep in mind; to hold in the memory.
Synonyms: Remember, recall, memorize, recollect, keep, harbor
Antonyms: Forget, disregard, dismiss, ignore, lose (a memory)
Definition 3: To secure the services of (often used with "retainer").
Synonyms: Hire, employ, engage, commission, secure, enlist
Antonyms: Dismiss, fire, release, discharge
Noun:
Definition 1: A fee paid to secure the services of a professional, especially a lawyer. (Often called a "retainer fee")
Synonyms: Deposit, down payment, advance, fee, payment
Antonyms: Refund, reimbursement
Definition 2: Something that holds or fastens; a fastening device. (e.g., a dental retainer)
Synonyms: Brace, clasp, fastener, support, holder, clip
Antonyms: Release, separator
Definition 3: The action or process of retaining something. (Less common usage)
Synonyms: Retention, holding, keeping, possession
Antonyms: Loss, release, relinquishment
Adjective:
While "retain" itself isn't commonly used as an adjective, you might see "retaining" used in an adjectival way, such as "a retaining wall." In this case:
Definition: Designed or serving to hold something back or in place.
Synonyms: Supporting, holding, containing, preventative (e.g., a preventative measure)
Antonyms: Releasing, yielding, collapsing
"Retain" is not typically used as an adverb.
Examples of Use
Verb (Keep Possession/Hold):
Book: "The museum worked hard to retain its collection of ancient artifacts." (Hypothetical example, but reflects common usage)
Newspaper: "The company aims to retain its top talent by offering competitive salaries and benefits." (Example reflecting business news)
Online Publication: "Many streaming services are struggling to retain subscribers in an increasingly competitive market." (Example from a tech/entertainment website)
General Public Discourse: "I try to retain all the important documents for tax purposes." (Everyday conversation example)
Verb (Remember/Keep in Mind):
Book: "She struggled to retain the complex instructions for assembling the furniture." (Hypothetical example, common scenario)
Educational Material: "Students are encouraged to use active recall techniques to better retain information." (Example from a study skills guide)
General Public Discourse: "I can't seem to retain anything I read anymore." (Common complaint/conversation topic)
Verb (Secure Services):
Newspaper: "The startup retained a law firm specializing in intellectual property." (Business/legal context)
Online Publication: "The athlete retained a new agent to negotiate endorsement deals." (Sports news example)
Noun (Retainer Fee):
Legal Context: "The lawyer requested a $5,000 retainer before beginning work on the case." (Common legal practice)
Business Context: "We require a retainer to secure our services for the project." (Consulting or other service-based businesses)
Noun (Fastening Device):
Medical Context: "The patient was fitted with a dental retainer after their braces were removed." (Common orthodontic practice)
Technical Context: "This clip acts as a retainer for the cable." (Explanation of a mechanical component)
Noun (Act of Retaining - Less Common):
While less frequent, you might see it in more formal or academic writing: "The retainer of these historical records is crucial for understanding our past." (Example from an archival context)
10 Famous Quotes Using Retain
"The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good, yet he must still retain his dignity." — Samuel Johnson
"Retain your peace of mind; without it, you lose the ability to think clearly." — Marcus Aurelius
"Retain your illusions as long as you can; they are better than nothing." — Anatole France
"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting, and to retain the fruits of victory without destruction." — Sun Tzu
"Retain faith in the future, even when the present seems unbearable." — Viktor Frankl
"Retain your individuality. Don’t sacrifice it for the sake of fitting in." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Retain your course with constancy; fortune favors the steadfast." — Virgil
"The aim of education is not only to impart knowledge but to retain curiosity." — Albert Einstein
"Retain only those habits that help you become who you wish to be." — Aristotle (paraphrased from Nicomachean Ethics)
"Do not waste time with explanations: people only hear what they want to hear. Retain your energy for those who truly listen." — Paulo Coelho
Etymology
"Retain" comes from the Latin word "retinere." Think of "re-" meaning "back" or "again," and "tenere" meaning "to hold." So, "retinere" literally means "to hold back" or "to hold again."
Imagine you're holding something, and you're holding it back from falling or from someone taking it. That's the core idea behind "retain." Or, imagine you again hold something that you had previously let go of.
The first known use of "retain" in English (according to etymological resources) appeared in the late 14th century. Its initial meaning was very similar to the Latin root: "to keep possession of," "to hold," or "to keep in one's power." So, right from the start, "retain" was about holding onto something, whether physically or metaphorically (like an idea or a memory).
Over time, the word's meaning broadened slightly. It came to also mean "to remember" (to hold something in your memory) and "to engage or employ" someone (to hold their services). But the fundamental idea of "holding onto something" has remained consistent throughout the word's history.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Retain
Phrases (using "retain" directly):
Retain information: This is a very common and straightforward phrase, often used in educational contexts. It simply means to remember or keep information in your memory.
Retain customers/clients: A common business phrase, meaning to keep existing customers and not lose them to competitors.
Retain talent/employees: Similar to the above, but focused on keeping valuable employees within a company.
Retain legal counsel: Meaning to continue to employ a lawyer or law firm for ongoing legal matters.
Retain possession of: A formal phrase indicating keeping something in your control.
Phrases (in the spirit of "retain," using synonyms):
Hold onto (something): A very common and versatile phrase expressing the idea of keeping something, both physically and metaphorically.
Keep (something) in mind: Similar to "retain information," but more informal.
Keep up (with something): While not directly related to "retain," it implies keeping pace with or staying current with something, which requires retaining knowledge or skills.
Hold (something) dear: Meaning to value something and keep it close to your heart.
Preserve (something) for posterity: Meaning to keep something so that future generations can have access to it, implying a desire to retain its value.
Idioms (using synonyms, as "retain" itself is rarely used in idioms):
Keep your eyes peeled: (Meaning to be watchful) This idiom implies the need to retain focus and attention.
Hold your horses: (Meaning to wait patiently) This idiom, while not about physical retention, implies a need for self-control and retaining one's composure.
Stick to your guns: (Meaning to stand firm in your beliefs) This implies retaining one's convictions.
Bear in mind: (Meaning to remember) This idiom is a close synonym for "retain information."
Original Phrases (in the spirit of common usage):
"Retain your sense of humor." (Encouraging the preservation of a positive trait)
"Retain the magic of childhood." (A metaphorical phrase about holding onto positive memories and feelings)
"Retain your composure under pressure." (Emphasizing the importance of self-control).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of retain from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
