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
By developing this more inclusive environment, employee engagement and retention improved.
—
Amanda Connelly, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
The Arizona Clean Elections Commission hosted a debate on Thursday at 4 p.m. about Proposition 137, which would eliminate automatic judicial retention elections.
—Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 26 Sep. 2024
In Britain, the majority of the 61 companies and organizations that participated in a six-month trial of the shorter workweek in 2022 — the biggest such experiment in the world to date — have made the change permanent, reporting better employee retention and higher on-the-clock productivity.
—Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024
Another finding is that 42% of senior executives strongly agreed that employee recognition must be a key aspect of their employee engagement and retention strategy, up from 28% from two years ago, according to the report.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for retention 
Amanda Connelly, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024
The Arizona Clean Elections Commission hosted a debate on Thursday at 4 p.m. about Proposition 137, which would eliminate automatic judicial retention elections.
—Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 26 Sep. 2024
In Britain, the majority of the 61 companies and organizations that participated in a six-month trial of the shorter workweek in 2022 — the biggest such experiment in the world to date — have made the change permanent, reporting better employee retention and higher on-the-clock productivity.
—Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024
Another finding is that 42% of senior executives strongly agreed that employee recognition must be a key aspect of their employee engagement and retention strategy, up from 28% from two years ago, according to the report.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 26 Sep. 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 1 Oct. 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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