retention

noun

re·​ten·​tion ri-ˈten(t)-shən 

1

a

: the act of retaining : the state of being retained

b

: abnormal retaining of a fluid or secretion in a body cavity

2

a

: power of retaining : retentiveness

b

: an ability to retain things in mind

specifically : a preservation of the aftereffects of experience and learning that makes recall or recognition possible

3

: something retained

Examples of retention in a Sentence

the recruitment and retention of good employees

the retention of profits from all sales

pills to offset water retention

the retention of things learned in school

They say the herb promotes memory retention.

Recent Examples on the Web

The employee retention credit was a pandemic-era tax break designed to support small businesses impacted by shutdowns. —Kate Dore, Cfp®, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024

The intrigue: Trump has vowed to hire 10,000 new Border Patrol agents and provide them with pay raises and retention and signing bonuses. —Jeremy Duda, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024

By integrating all three of its streaming services into one platform, Disney is betting that a more seamless experience will keep subscribers engaged and increase retention, Bowen said. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024

Having meaningful work improves employee retention across your entire workforce. —Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English retencioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin retention-, retentio, from retinēre to retain — more at retain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

retention

noun

re·​ten·​tion ri-ˈten-chən 

1

: the act of retaining : the state of being retained

2

: power of retaining

3

: something retained

Medical Definition

retention

noun

re·​ten·​tion ri-ˈten-chən 

1

: the act of retaining: as

a

: abnormal retaining of a fluid or secretion in a body cavity

retention of urine

retention of bile

b

: the holding in place of a tooth or dental replacement by means of a retainer

2

: a preservation of the aftereffects of experience and learning that makes recall or recognition possible

Legal Definition

retention

noun

re·​ten·​tion ri-ˈten-chən 

1

: the act of retaining or the state of being retained

2

: the portion of the insurance on a particular risk not reinsured or ceded by the originating insurer