Definition of 'retainer'
Word forms: plural retainers
1. countable noun
2. countable noun
A servant who has been with one family for a long time can be referred to as a retainer.
[old-fashioned] I found the gardener, a family retainer, morosely surveying the scene.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
noun
2.
a servant, esp one who has been with a family for a long time
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
noun
1.
a person or thing that retains
3.
any of several devices used to retain
; specif.,
b.
a device designed to hold teeth in position after they have been adjusted by orthodontics
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
noun Law
1.
2.
a fee paid in advance to make such services available when needed
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Example sentences containing 'retainer'
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.
Read more…
His clients pay him an annual retainer, then he charges by the hour for specific jobs. Times, Sunday Times (2010)One offered to move in with me at the Ski Chalet for a discounted monthly retainer. THE ZANZIBAR CHEST: A Memoir of Love and War (2003)The consultancy already has some 14 clients, on retainer or project fees. TOP MARKETING AND MEDIA COMPANIES IN THE UK (2002)The missing money is said to have included the composer's 15,000 annual retainer for his royal duties. Times, Sunday Times (2009)They'll pay a 75,000 retainer. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Like many other small businesses, she also pays a monthly retainer to secure IT support services. Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Trends of 'retainer'
Used Occasionally. retainer is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary
View usage for:
Translations for 'retainer'
British English: retainer NOUN
A retainer is a fee that you pay to someone in order to make sure that they will be available to do work for you if you need them to.
I'll need a five-hundred-dollar retainer.
Nearby words of 'retainer'
Related Terms of 'retainer'
Source
Definition of retainer from the
Collins English Dictionary
Mistletoe & wassail! 6 word treats to savour this festive season
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Dig into the true etymological meaning of Christmas, plus five more festive word treats to mull over.
Read more
These are not the words you are looking for: Collins’ Guide to Star Wars terminology
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… we explored the Star Wars universe for intergalactic words that feature in Collins Dictionary. Read on, you must.
Read more
A right royal affair! 12 regal words to add to your vocabulary
We’ve searched this noble kingdom for all the royal terminology you need to know, just in time for the Royal Wedding next spring.
Read more