retain

verb [T]

/rɪˈteɪn/

Definition

C2 formal to keep or continue to have something: She has lost her battle to retain control of the company. He managed to retain his dignity throughout the performance. She succeeded in retaining her lead in the second half of the race. I have a good memory and am able to retain (= remember) facts easily.Keeping and storing things › formal If a substance retains something, such as heat or water, it continues to hold or contain it: The sea retains the sun's warmth longer than the land. → See also retentionKeeping and storing things › legal to get the services of a lawyer by paying them before you need themRecruiting staff, applying for and accepting jobs

(Definition of retain verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)