Definitions

1. verb

to keep possession of something, such as a job, a customer, or information; to keep something in one’s memory

“She managed to retain her position as CEO despite the company’s financial struggles.”

2. verb

to hold onto something physically or mentally, such as a grip or a thought

“He had to retain his grip on the rope as he climbed up the rocky cliff.”

3. verb

to keep something in a specified state or condition, such as a record or a memory

“The museum is trying to retain its original layout as much as possible.”

4. verb

to keep something from being lost or forgotten, such as a skill or a tradition

“The community is working to retain its cultural heritage.”

5. noun

a person or thing that is kept in possession or memory

“The company’s biggest retention tool is its excellent customer service.”