definition of
retain

[1] #1 retain v. hold back within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"; "the dam retains the water". wn

[2] #2 retain v. [continue, keep, keep on] allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature; "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we c. wn

[3] #3 retain v. [hold, keep back, hold back] secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree". wn

[4] #4 retain v. keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information". wn