Words / B2

ri-TAYN/rɪˈteɪn/

To retain is to keep something and not lose, drop, or give it away: retain control / information / staff / heat. Keep is everyday; retain is more formal and common in academic, legal, and business English. Retention is the noun (staff retention); retain does not mean “remember” by itself, though retain information is close to that idea.

Meaning

To keep something and not lose or give it away.

Examples

• “It is hard to retain new words without review.”
• “The design retains several features of the original hall.”
• “It is difficult to retain skilled workers without better pay.”

Good to know

Formal keep. retain control / staff / information. Noun: retention.

Near in meaning

keep

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