retainer

Retainer is a term used in several contexts. In professional services, a retainer is an upfront payment made to secure access to a professional's time and services. It functions as a credit for work to be performed and may guarantee the provider's availability. Retainers are common in fields such as law, consulting, and public relations. The arrangement can be a fixed amount for a set block of hours or a monthly fee that covers ongoing access. Depending on the agreement, unused portions may be applied to future work, rolled over, or returned at the end.

In legal use, a retainer agreement or engagement letter outlines the scope, billing method, and expectations. Some retainer arrangements are nonrefundable; others are held as a trust or security against the service being rendered. Law firms may bill against the retainer as work progresses, with regular statements showing hours and costs.

A dental retainer is a device prescribed after orthodontic treatment to maintain teeth in their new positions. Removable retainers can be taken out for eating and cleaning, while fixed retainers are bonded to teeth. The duration of retainer use varies by patient, but many plans include long-term wear, sometimes indefinitely.

In mechanical and engineering contexts, a retainer refers to a component that holds parts in place, such as a retaining ring, clip, or bracket. In general language, to retain means to keep or preserve, and a retainer is anything that accomplishes that holding function.