[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/retain/)

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# retain

verb (retain, retains, retained, retaining)

«retain» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To retain is to keep something and not lose it or give it away. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#m1)
2. To retain is to hold something in: a sponge retains water, a flask retains heat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#m2)
3. To retain facts is to remember them. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#m3)

### In the lessons

In maths: what is kept after giving away or spending a part; retained = start − given away. In science: soil retains water; wool and fur retain heat. In school: revising helps you retain what you learned. In everyday life: keep (retain) your receipt.

### Examples

- She gave away 8 of her 20 stickers and retained the rest. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#x1)
- The shop retains 10% of the price. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#x2)
- How many marbles did he retain? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#x3)
- The soil retains 2 liters of water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#x4)
- Clay soil retains more water than sandy soil. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#x5)
- A flask retains heat for hours. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#x6)
- Reading notes again helps you retain facts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#x7)
- The team retained the trophy for another year. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#x8)
- But above all he retained the passion for good form. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/#x9)

### Note

What is retained = start minus what is given away. Trap: the question may ask for the part kept, not the part given away. «Retain» is a formal word for «keep». Past: retained.

## In Jewish tradition

To hold back or keep, as a host keeps a guest, or as the strength of a person is held or lost.

**Interpretation.** Ecclesiastes teaches that no one can hold back the wind or death, which the sages read as a reminder of human limits and God's rule.

### Examples

- And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days; so they did eat and drink, and lodged there. (Prophets JDG.19.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/retain/#x1)
- So that I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. (Writings DAN.10.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/retain/#x2)
- There is no man that hath power over the wind to retain the wind; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it. (Writings ECC.8.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/retain/#x3)

### Note

What is retained = start minus what is given away. Trap: the question may ask for the part kept, not the part given away. «Retain» is a formal word for «keep». Past: retained.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «retain» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retain/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«retain» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/retain.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «retain» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/retain/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«retain» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/retain.html) on Mova free.