Retaining: meaning, definitions and examples

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retaining

 

[ rɪˈteɪnɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

memory

Keeping something in place or maintaining possession of it.

Synonyms

keeping, maintaining, preserving.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
retaining

Mentioned twice, and should be merged with the first entry.

keeping

Used in a more general sense to describe holding or storing something; can be temporary or permanent.

  • Keeping the house clean is a daily chore.
  • He is keeping his old toys in a box in the attic.
maintaining

Refers to taking action to ensure something continues to function properly or remains in good condition.

  • Regular oil changes are important for maintaining your car.
  • She struggled with maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
preserving

Often used when discussing saving something from decay or destruction, for long-term protection.

  • Conserving energy is vital for preserving the environment.
  • He is interested in preserving ancient artifacts.

Examples of usage

  • He had a hard time retaining information from his classes.
  • She was good at retaining details from conversations.
Context #2 | Verb

employment

Continuing to employ someone or keep them in a position.

Synonyms

employing, keeping on.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
retaining

Use to imply maintaining possession or control of something.

  • She has been retaining a majority stake in the company
  • The organization is retaining its top talent by providing competitive salaries
employing

Use when referring to hiring someone or using a method, strategy, or piece of equipment.

  • The company is employing new strategies to increase sales
  • They are employing more staff to handle the holiday rush
keeping on

Use in informal contexts to indicate continuing with something or someone, often despite difficulties.

  • Despite the budget cuts, the manager is keeping on all her team members
  • They decided on keeping on the old system until the new one is ready

Examples of usage

  • The company was not retaining enough employees due to low wages.
  • They were successful in retaining their top talent.

Translations

Translations of the word "retaining" in other languages:

🇵🇹 retenção

🇮🇳 रखना

🇩🇪 Beibehaltung

🇮🇩 penahanan

🇺🇦 утримання

🇵🇱 utrzymanie

🇯🇵 保持

🇫🇷 rétention

🇪🇸 retención

🇹🇷 tutma

🇰🇷 유지

🇸🇦 احتفاظ

🇨🇿 udržení

🇸🇰 udržanie

🇨🇳 保持

🇸🇮 zadržanje

🇮🇸 varðveisla

🇰🇿 сақтау

🇬🇪 შენარჩუნება

🇦🇿 saxlama

🇲🇽 retención

Etymology

The word 'retaining' originates from the Middle English word 'retenen', which comes from the Old French 'retenir', ultimately from the Latin 'retinere', meaning 'to hold back'. The concept of retaining has been present in various cultures throughout history, where the act of keeping something or someone has been essential for survival and progress.

See also: retain, retained, retention, unretained.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,975 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.