WordWeb Online

1. Hold back within
   "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"; "the dam retains the water"
    
2. Allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature
   "She retains a lawyer"; "this garment retains its shape even after many washings";
   - continue, keep, keep on
    
3. Secure and keep for possible future use or application
   "The landlord retained the security deposit";
   - hold, keep back, hold back
    
4. Keep in one's mind
   "I cannot retain so much information"

Derived forms: retains, retained, retaining

Type of: bear, carry, contain, hold, hold on, keep, keep up, prolong, remember, sustain, think of

Encyclopedia: Retain