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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | retenir, from Latin retinere, from tenere 'to hold' |
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re‧tain S2 W2
[transitive] formal
[transitive] formal1 to keep something or continue to have something : 
You have the right to retain possession of the goods.The state wants to retain control of food imports.
You have the right to retain possession of the goods.The state wants to retain control of food imports.2 to store or keep something inside something else : A lot of information can be retained in your computer. Limestone is known to retain moisture.
A lot of information can be retained in your computer.Limestone is known to retain moisture.3 to remember information : I find it very difficult to retain facts.
I find it very difficult to retain facts.4 if you retain a lawyer or other specialist, you pay them to work for you now and in the future : He has retained a lawyer to challenge the court's decision.
He has retained a lawyer to challenge the court's decision.5 if a company retains workers, it continues to employ them for a long time : It's increasingly difficult to recruit and retain good staff.
It's increasingly difficult to recruit and retain good staff.