-io

an action, process, or result

Forms

-io
-ion- — The longer form used before Latin endings.
-ion — The form carried into many English nouns.

Origin

An old Latin noun ending, inherited from earlier Indo-European word formation.

Note

The ending can name both an activity and what that activity produces.

319 / 371

noun

retention

rih-TEN-shun/rɪˈtenʃn/

The continued holding of something rather than releasing it.

The dam ensures water retention behind its solid barrier.

A cutaway view of a small dam retaining a substantial body of water, with the high water visibly held behind the solid barrier and only a shallow stream downstream.

Etymology

reLatinback, again; restoration or reversal

+tentLatinhold, keep

+ionLatinan action, process, or result

The pieces express an act of holding back: keeping something rather than letting it go. Early English use included keeping fluids within the body; the selected sense applies that idea more generally to continued possession.

In context

Town Meeting TV280:47

does not have recruitment or retention challenges

Burlington City Council - 10/10/2023

More examples

Regular review improves your retention of new information.
Flexible schedules help improve employee retention.
Fluid retention can cause swelling in your ankles.
The policy requires retention of financial records for seven years.

Forms

retain verb — Keep something rather than let it go.

Similar words

keeping: Keeping is the everyday term; retention often sounds technical.
holding: Holding often emphasizes physical control rather than continued keeping.