n. 1. The act of retaining or the condition of being retained: the retention of nutrients in the soil; the retention of jobs in the city. 2. The practice of requiring a student to repeat a class or a year of school because of insufficient educational progress to advance. 3. The ability to recall or recognize what has been learned or experienced; memory. 4. The inability of a person or animal to eliminate a bodily waste. [Middle English retencioun, from Old French retention, from Latin retentiō, retentiōn-, from retentus, past participle of retinēre, to retain; see RETAIN.] |
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