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
Also, define how success will be measured (e.g., audience retention rates, alternative platform engagement, downtime minimized).
—
Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Trump has asked Musk and Ramaswamy to determine which workers are worthy of retention and which should be fired.
—Jeffery Vacante, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2025
Its materials provide optimal heat distribution and retention, while its sloped side design encourages continuous movement, making light work of stirring your soups or stews.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
The retention rate for first-generation students — meaning the rate of students who returned to the same institution for their second year — was about 68.2% nationally.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for retention 
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Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Trump has asked Musk and Ramaswamy to determine which workers are worthy of retention and which should be fired.
—Jeffery Vacante, Hartford Courant, 19 Jan. 2025
Its materials provide optimal heat distribution and retention, while its sloped side design encourages continuous movement, making light work of stirring your soups or stews.
—Maggie Horton, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
The retention rate for first-generation students — meaning the rate of students who returned to the same institution for their second year — was about 68.2% nationally.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for retention
Dictionary Entries Near retention
Cite this Entry
“Retention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retention. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
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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