retain
/rɪˈteɪn/(verb)
AWL Sublist 4CEFR B2IELTS Band 7.0 - 9.0
Academic Definition
To continue to have something; to keep possession of; to absorb and hold a substance like water or heat.
Key Academic Collocations
Click to copyWord Family & Derivatives
retainretentionretentiveretainedretaining
Lexical Alternatives (Synonyms)
preservemaintainholdconservewithhold
Academic Sample Sentences in Context
"Traditional agriculture retained its position as the largest employment sector, engaging 44% of the national workforce in 2010."
"Corporate enterprises offering flexible parental leave and remote options retain experienced staff at considerably higher rates."
"Urban green roofs retain rainwater runoff, significantly mitigating the severity of flash flooding in metropolitan drain networks."
IELTS Examiner Scoring Strategy (Lexical Resource)
Great for Task 1 trends: 'Coal retained its status as the leading energy source throughout the decade.'