Retention: meaning, definitions and examples

Appropriate in professional or business settings, especially regarding customers, employees, or information management.

• Employee retention is a priority for our company
• Data retention policies must be followed carefully

Casual and every day usage, often in the context of holding onto items or maintaining possession.

• She's keeping the old furniture in the attic
• Keeping secrets is a tough job

Mostly technical or physical contexts where regular attention is required to ensure proper functioning or condition.

• Regular maintenance of the car is necessary
• The machine is down for maintenance today

Common in contexts where safeguarding or protecting something from harm or decay is emphasized.

• Preservation of historical sites is important
• Food preservation techniques have advanced significantly

Use when discussing the ability to keep or hold information over time, often in educational or professional settings.

• Employee retention rates have improved this year
• The school focuses on retention to ensure students remember key concepts

Use when referring to the mental ability to store and retrieve information from the past.

• His memory of the event is still vivid
• Aging can sometimes affect memory

Use when talking about the act of retrieving information from memory, often in contexts requiring specific information to be remembered.

• She could recall every detail of her trip
• During the test, he struggled to recall the formulas he had studied

Use when talking about the process of acquiring new knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching.

• Learning a new language can be challenging
• She has a passion for learning and constantly seeks out new courses

General term to describe the ability of a company or organization to keep its employees, customers, or any resource from leaving or being lost.

• The retention rate of our users has improved significantly after the latest software update.
• The management is focusing on retention strategies to maintain employee satisfaction.

Focuses specifically on the ability to keep staff members from leaving the company, often used in HR and management contexts.

• Effective staff retention strategies are crucial to maintaining productivity and reducing recruitment costs.
• The company implemented flexible working hours to improve staff retention.

Specifically refers to the dedication and commitment of employees towards their organization, often influenced by job satisfaction, company culture, and benefits.

• Building employee loyalty is essential for reducing turnover and fostering a positive work environment.
• Programs that recognize and reward achievements help increase employee loyalty.