retention

Retention is the act or condition of keeping or containing something.

(noun)

  1. An example of retention is a dam holding back a river.
  2. An example of retention is someone being held in a rehabilitation center.
  3. An example of retention is memory.

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See retention in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. a retaining or being retained
  2. power of or capacity for retaining
    1. a remembering; memory
    2. ability to remember
  3. Med. the retaining within the body of matter normally excreted

Origin: ME retencioun < MFr retention < L retentio

See retention in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. The act of retaining.
    b. The condition of being retained.
  2. Capacity or power of retaining.
  3. An ability to recall or recognize what has been learned or experienced; memory.
  4. Something retained.
  5. Involuntary withholding of bodily wastes or secretions that are normally eliminated.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English retencioun

Origin: , from Old French retention

Origin: , from Latin retentiō, retentiōn-

Origin: , from retentus

Origin: , past participle of retinēre, to retain; see retain

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