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

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# retention

noun (retention — usually uncountable)

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

## Everyday

1. Retention is keeping something, or keeping it from being lost. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retention/#m1)
2. (UK school) Retention can mean keeping a pupil back a year. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retention/#m2)
3. (science/health) Water retention is when the body holds too much water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retention/#m3)

### In the lessons

A formal word: in learning, «memory retention» is how much you remember. In science, soil with good water retention holds water. Phrases: «memory retention», «water retention», «heat retention».

### Examples

- Revision helps the retention of facts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retention/#x1)
- Clay soil has good water retention. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retention/#x2)
- The wool coat has good heat retention. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retention/#x3)
- Staff retention is a problem for the company. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retention/#x4)
- Swelling in the ankles can be caused by water retention. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/retention/#x5)

### Note

Formal; noun of «retain» (keep). Uncountable. In US schools «retention» can mean having to repeat a grade.

## On Mova

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