Synonyms of retainernext
1
a
: a person attached or owing service to a household
especially, old-fashioned : servant
b
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 of retainer

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Other quirky finds included five AirPods, three Delta flight pins and a singular Uno card, as well as dental retainers and rubber ducks. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 And one health care consultancy that finds doctors and mental health care for wealthy families charges retainers starting at $30,000 for 50 hours. — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 The retainers were with two law firms, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton and the Law Offices of Young, Minney & Corr, and financial adviser Arch + Beam Global. — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Qonnect would receive a monthly retainer of $30,000 paid by the district to Poyner Spruill. — Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retainer

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of retainer was in 1508

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retainer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retainer. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

retainer

1 of 2 noun
: 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
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
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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster