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
With the competitive streaming video business having matured in the U.S. and companies focusing more on profitability, subscriber retention has become at least as important as subscriber growth.
—
Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2024
But that’s a lot of memory retention every day for two months—and then for however long the movie takes.
—Susan Orlean, The New Yorker, 8 July 2024
Consuming too much sodium leads to fluid retention in our bodies and increases the risk of high blood pressure, which can cause a strain on your heart and other organs, and could result in heart disease or even a heart attack.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 5 July 2024
Fluid retention Hormones such as relaxin that cause your ligaments to loosen
Pressure from your growing uterus and compressed organs
Weight gain
All of this pressure, loosening of ligaments, excess weight, and fluid retention can put a real strain on your body.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for retention 
Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 July 2024
But that’s a lot of memory retention every day for two months—and then for however long the movie takes.
—Susan Orlean, The New Yorker, 8 July 2024
Consuming too much sodium leads to fluid retention in our bodies and increases the risk of high blood pressure, which can cause a strain on your heart and other organs, and could result in heart disease or even a heart attack.
—Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 5 July 2024
Fluid retention Hormones such as relaxin that cause your ligaments to loosen
Pressure from your growing uterus and compressed organs
Weight gain
All of this pressure, loosening of ligaments, excess weight, and fluid retention can put a real strain on your body.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for retention
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retention.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near retention
Cite this Entry
“Retention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retention. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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