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retention definition

re·ten·tion (ri tens̸hən)

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

Etymology: ME retencioun < MFr retention < L retentio

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
retention Synonyms

retention

n.

  1. Custody

    holding, withholding, reservation, detention; see custody 1, maintenance 1, preservation.

  2. Memory

    recall, recognition, recollection; see memory 1, remembrance 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

retention Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • urine: Retention of urine in new-born babies due to shock of fast labor.

Converse of object

  • boost: With this in mind, I led a team that looked at ways to boost retention, with particular focus on the early period.

Adjective modifier

  • urinary: She also noted that he had no bladder distention to suggest urinary retention.

Modifies a noun

  • schedule: A retention schedule tells us: How long records are needed.

Noun used with modifier

  • moisture: The finer the particles the greater their surface tension and the more their moisture retention levels and vise versa.
retention usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"retention." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/retention>

APA Style

retention. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/retention

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