n.
Pronunciation: ri- ' ten(t)-sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English retencioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin retention-, retentio, from retin ē re to retain ― more at RETAIN
Date: 14th century
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