Retaining

Retaining refers to the act of keeping possession, control, or continued existence of something. It can apply to physical objects, information, or conditions, and generally implies an ongoing state rather than a single action. The term covers preserving, maintaining, and preventing loss over time.

In psychology and cognitive science, retention describes the ability to maintain information in memory over time. It involves encoding, storage, and retrieval processes. Retention is influenced by encoding depth, repetition, meaningful association, retrieval practice, and interference from other information. Distinctions are made between short-term (working) retention and long-term retention, which can be strengthened through rehearsal, spaced practice, and meaningful learning.

Data and records retention refers to policies about how long data are kept, where they are stored, and when they are disposed of. Organizations use retention schedules to meet legal, regulatory, and operational requirements. Duration depends on data type and jurisdiction. Privacy laws, archiving standards, and industry regulations guide retention and secure deletion.

In business, retention often describes the ability to retain customers or employees. Customer retention measures how well a company keeps its customers over time, linked to satisfaction, loyalty, and repeat purchases; metrics include churn rate and lifetime value. Employee retention tracks staff tenure and turnover, with practices such as competitive compensation, growth opportunities, inclusive culture, and good management.

Engineering and professional services also use the term. Retaining structures, such as retaining walls, are designed to resist the lateral pressure of earth. Retaining rings secure assemblies and prevent axial movement. In legal contexts, to retain a professional means to engage them under a retainer agreement, often with a retainer fee that reserves capacity.