re
tain
Third Person
retains
Present Participle
retaining
Past Tense
retained
Past Participle
retained
1
to keep something in one's thoughts or mental awareness
transitive
- Even after many years, she could still retain vivid memories of her childhood home.
- To succeed in language learning, it's important to practice regularly to retain vocabulary and grammar rules.
- The mentor shared valuable advice with the protege, hoping they would retain the wisdom throughout their career.
- The storyteller captivated the audience with a tale that was both entertaining and easy to retain in their memories.
2
to keep what one has or to continue having something
transitive
- The antique shop owner decided to retain a few rare pieces in the collection.
- Individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet are more likely to retain good physical and mental well-being as they age.
- The professor encouraged students to actively engage with course materials to better retain knowledge for future applications.
3
to absorb and keep a substance within a particular object or material
transitive
- Bath towels made of high-quality cotton retain moisture well.
- Certain fabrics are designed to retain heat, making them suitable for winter clothing that keeps the body warm.
- The sponge-like material in the air filter is designed to retain dust particles and maintain air quality in the room.
- The skin's natural oils help retain moisture, keeping it hydrated and preventing dryness.
4
to intentionally keep, maintain, or preserve something in its current state, resisting removal, elimination, or alteration
transitive
- The small town decided to retain its annual summer festival as a cherished tradition.
- The company decided to retain its flexible work policy to support employee well-being.
- The legislature voted to retain the existing environmental protection laws.
- The school opted to retain the practice of having a mentorship program for new students.