Retain: meaning, definitions and examples
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retain
[rɪˈteɪn ]
Definitions
memory
To keep or continue to have something; to hold onto something; to remember something.
Synonyms
hold on to, keep, maintain, preserve, remember.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| retain |
Usually used in formal or professional settings to indicate keeping possession of something over time.
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| keep |
A general term suitable for any context, whether formal or informal, indicating possession or maintenance of something.
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| maintain |
Used in contexts of upholding or continuing a state, condition, or standard, often found in technical or formal usage.
|
| preserve |
Usually used when talking about maintaining something in its original state or protecting it from harm or decay.
|
| remember |
Talks about keeping information in one's mind, typically used in personal or educational contexts.
|
| hold on to |
Often used in casual conversation and implies effort in keeping something.
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Examples of usage
- He tried to retain the information for the exam.
- She struggled to retain her composure in front of the audience.
- We need to retain our customers by providing excellent service.
- They decided to retain the original design for the building.
- The key to retaining information is through practice.
legal
To keep someone in a particular position or place; to employ someone on a permanent basis.
Synonyms
appoint, employ, engage, hire.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| retain |
Use this word when you want to talk about keeping someone in a job or position over a period of time.
|
| hire |
This is a common word used to describe taking someone on as an employee, usually for regular, long-term work.
|
| employ |
Use this word when you want to discuss hiring someone for a job.
|
| engage |
This word is often used when hiring someone for a specific task or short-term project. It can also mean to involve someone in an activity.
|
| appoint |
This word is appropriate when officially assigning someone to a specific position or role.
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Examples of usage
- The company decided to retain him as their legal counsel.
- She was retained as a consultant for the project.
business
The act of keeping something in one's possession; the ability to keep customers, employees, or members.
Synonyms
keeping, loyalty, maintenance, preservation.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| retain |
Used when you want to describe holding onto something or someone over a period of time, often in a formal or professional setting.
|
| keeping |
Commonly used in everyday language to mean holding onto something, often in the context of casual situations or objects.
|
| preservation |
Usually refers to the act of protecting something from harm or decay, often in the context of historical artifacts, nature, or traditions.
|
| maintenance |
Used in situations where the ongoing upkeep or care of something is discussed, generally in a technical or practical sense.
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| loyalty |
Refers to a strong feeling of support or allegiance. Often used in personal relationships, business, or to describe devotion to a cause.
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Examples of usage
- Customer retention is crucial for the success of any business.
- The company focused on employee retention by offering competitive benefits.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'retain' comes from the Latin word 'retinere,' meaning to hold back or keep.
- It entered the English language in the late 14th century, originally emphasizing the idea of holding or keeping.
- Related words like 'detain' and 'contain' also share the same Latin root, showing a common theme of holding.
Psychology
- Research studies show that people often remember information better through repetition, a process linked to the concept of retention.
- The brain categorizes different types of memories, which can affect how well we are able to retain information over time.
- Techniques like mnemonic devices (e.g., rhymes or acronyms) can significantly enhance one’s ability to retain knowledge.
Education
- Active learning strategies, such as summarizing or teaching content to others, can help students retain information longer.
- Taking breaks during study sessions has been shown to improve retention rates of learned material.
- Various learning styles can affect how well individuals are able to retain the information.
Cultural References
- The idea of 'retaining' knowledge has roots in various educational philosophies, from Socratic methods to modern inquiry-based learning.
- In literature, characters often struggle with the ability to retain memories, which is a common theme in genres like science fiction and mystery.
- Cultural practices around storytelling often emphasize the importance of retaining oral histories through generations.
Business
- In a corporate context, retaining employees is crucial for long-term success, as high turnover can disrupt company culture.
- Customer retention strategies are essential for businesses to maintain profitability, often involving loyalty programs.
- Training programs that focus on retention skills can lead to improved performance and employee satisfaction.
Translations
Translations of the word "retain" in other languages:
🇵🇹 reter
- manter
- conservar
🇮🇳 रखना
- बनाए रखना
- संजोना
🇩🇪 behalten
- bewahren
- aufrechterhalten
🇮🇩 menahan
- mempertahankan
- menyimpan
🇺🇦 зберігати
- утримувати
- залишати
🇵🇱 zachować
- utrzymać
- zatrzymać
🇯🇵 保持する（ほじする）
- 維持する（いじする）
- 保管する（ほかんする）
🇫🇷 retenir
- maintenir
- conserver
🇪🇸 retener
- mantener
- conservar
🇹🇷 tutmak
- muhafaza etmek
- korumak
🇰🇷 유지하다
- 보유하다
- 간직하다
🇸🇦 احتفظ
- حافظ
- صان
🇨🇿 udržet
- zachovat
- ponechat
🇸🇰 udržať
- zachovať
- ponechať
🇨🇳 保留 (bǎoliú)
- 维持 (wéichí)
- 保存 (bǎocún)
🇸🇮 ohraniti
- zadržati
- vzdrževati
🇮🇸 halda
- varðveita
- viðhalda
🇰🇿 сақтау
- ұстап қалу
- сақтау
🇬🇪 შენახვა
- შენარჩუნება
- დაცვა
🇦🇿 saxlamaq
- qorumaq
- mühafizə etmək
🇲🇽 retener
- mantener
- conservar