retain

/ɹɪˈteɪn/verb
Middle School
1

Often followed by from: to hold back (someone or something); to check, to prevent, to restrain, to stop.

2

To hold back (a pupil) instead of allowing them to advance to the next class or year; to keep back.

3

Of a thing: to hold or keep (something) inside it; to contain.

4

To hold back (tissue or a substance, especially urine) in the body or a body organ.

5

To hold (something) secure; to prevent (something) from becoming detached or separated.

6

To keep (something) in control or possession; to continue having (something); to keep back.

7

To keep (something) in the mind; to recall, to remember.

8

To keep (something) in place or use, instead of removing or abolishing it; to preserve.

9

To engage or hire (someone), especially temporarily.

10

To employ (someone, especially a lawyer) by paying a retainer (“fee one pays to reserve another person's time for services”); specifically, to engage (a barrister) by making an initial payment to secure their services if needed.

Thesaurus

Antonyms

Sound Patterns & Rhymes

Rhymes

Words that share the same ending sound pattern

Alliteration

Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)

Assonance

Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing

Consonance

Words sharing similar consonant sound patterns — adds texture and cohesion to writing

#archaic#obsolete#rare