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
Use engagement surveys, retention metrics and qualitative feedback to gauge cultural integration in real time.
—
Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
That drew pushback from several fellow mayoral candidates, who have called for beefing up the ranks of the NYPD, which is seeing its lowest head count in decades amid high retirement rates, low retention figures and spikes in some crime categories as compared with the pre-COVID-19 era.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025
Listen to this article Shipbuilder Electric Boat in Groton is proving again to be the exception as the U.S. Navy faces another hurdle in its massive effort to rapidly rebuild the U.S. nuclear submarine fleet: workforce retention.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
The company continues to face challenges related to supply chain disruptions, retention of key employees, and maintaining strategic partnerships with original equipment manufacturers for its hardware products.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retention
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
That drew pushback from several fellow mayoral candidates, who have called for beefing up the ranks of the NYPD, which is seeing its lowest head count in decades amid high retirement rates, low retention figures and spikes in some crime categories as compared with the pre-COVID-19 era.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025
Listen to this article Shipbuilder Electric Boat in Groton is proving again to be the exception as the U.S. Navy faces another hurdle in its massive effort to rapidly rebuild the U.S. nuclear submarine fleet: workforce retention.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
The company continues to face challenges related to supply chain disruptions, retention of key employees, and maintaining strategic partnerships with original equipment manufacturers for its hardware products.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retention
Cite this Entry
“Retention.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retention. Accessed 6 Apr. 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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