retainer

1 of 2

noun (1)

re·​tain·​er ri-ˈtā-nər 

1

a

: a person attached or owing service to a household

especially : servant

b

: employee

2

: one that retains

3

: a device or structure that holds something in place: such as

a

: the part of a dental replacement (such as a bridge) by which it is made fast to adjacent natural teeth

b

: a dental appliance used to hold teeth in correct position especially following orthodontic treatment

retainer

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: the act of a client by which the services of a lawyer, counselor, or adviser are engaged

2

: a fee paid to a lawyer or professional adviser for advice or services or for a claim on services when needed

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• daily [British]
• domestic
• flunky
• flunkey
• flunkie
• lackey
• menial
• servant
• steward

Examples of retainer in a Sentence

Noun (1)

knights being dressed for battle by their retainers

lifelong civil service retainers

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Her quarterly retainer fees range from $20,000 to $50,000, federal lobbying disclosures show. —Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024

All of the spending over retainer has been paid, O’Neal added. —Lizzy Alspach, Baltimore Sun, 5 Aug. 2024

In the escape, Jordy’s mother is also captured by Marder’s forces, leaving only the former king’s faithful retainer, Asbeth, to nurture the boy on his own. —Ollie Barder, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024

In this model, patients pay a monthly fee or annual retainer to receive personalized care from a physician. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English reteigner, literally, retention, from Anglo-French, from reteigner, verb

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

retainer

1 of 2 noun

re·​tain·​er ri-ˈtā-nər 

: a fee paid (as to a lawyer) for advice or services or for a claim upon services in case of need

retainer

2 of 2 noun

1

: a servant or follower in a wealthy household

2

: one that retains

3

: a usually removable dental device used to hold teeth in correct position especially following orthodontic treatment (as with braces)

called also bite plate

Medical Definition

retainer

noun

re·​tain·​er ri-ˈtān-ər 

1

: the part of a dental replacement (as a bridge) by which it is made fast to adjacent natural teeth

2

: a dental appliance used to hold teeth in their correct position especially following orthodontic treatment

Legal Definition

retainer

noun

re·​tain·​er ri-ˈtā-nər 

1

: the act of a client by which the services of a lawyer are engaged

2

: a fee paid to a lawyer for advice or services or for a claim on services when needed

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French retener act of engaging or employing, from retener, retenir to engage, retain