Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
retardation
retarded
retch
retd.
rete
retell
retelling
retene
retention
retentive
retentivity
rethink
retia
retiarius
reticent
reticle
reticula
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "retention" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

retention

re·ten·tion [ ri ténsh'n ]


noun 
Definition:
 
1. keeping or holding of something: the act of retaining something or the condition of being retained

2. memory: the ability to remember things

3. physiology holding in of waste: the holding in the body of waste that is normally excreted

[14th century. Directly or via French< Latin retention-< past participle of retinere (see retain)]
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft