English Explanatory Dictionary

retention

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The act of retaining or something retained.
  2. The act or power of remembering things.
  3. Memory; what is retained in the mind.
  4. The involuntary withholding of urine and faeces.
  5. The length of time a patient remains in treatment.
  6. That which contains something, as a tablet; a means of preserving impressions.
  7. The act of withholding; restraint; reserve.
  8. A place of custody or confinement.
  9. The right to withhold a debt, or of retaining property until a debt due to the person claiming the right is duly paid; a lien.
  10. The portion of a potential damage that must be paid for by the holder of an insurance policy.

Pronunciation

/ɹɪˈtɛnʃən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vininn126-retention.wav

Word forms

retention retentions

Etymology

From Middle English retencioun, borrowed from Latin retentiō, retentiōnis, from retentus, the perfect passive participle of retineō (“retain”) (from re- (“back, again”) + teneō (“hold, keep”)).

Derived words

bioretention colour retention agent deposit interest retention tax gastroretention hydraulic retention time irretention lake retention time nonretention overretention retentional retention basin retentionist retention line retention pond retention tank retention time silver retention
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