Definition of retain

• hold within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"
• allow to remain in a place or position; "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The familys fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long as we could"
• secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"