retenir

/ʁə.tə.niʁ/
1.
verbInf3rdPres

remember

memorize

J'ai du mal à retenir tous ces nouveaux mots.

I'm having a hard time remembering all these new words.

2.
verbInf3rdPres

hold back

restrain

detain (temporarily)

Le chien a essayé de partir, mais il a fallu le retenir.

The dog tried to run off, but we had to hold it back.

3.
verbInf3rdPres

reserve

book (a room, table, ticket)

J'ai retenu une table au restaurant pour ce soir.

I reserved a table at the restaurant for tonight.

4.
verbInf3rdPres

withhold

deduct (money, e.g., from a salary)

L'employeur a retenu 10 % sur le salaire pour les impôts.

The employer withheld 10% from the salary for taxes.

5.
verbInf3rdPres

hold (someone's) attention

attract or keep interest

Son discours a retenu l'attention de toute l'assemblée.

His speech held the attention of the whole audience.

6.
verbInf3rdPres

select

shortlist (be chosen for something)

Trois candidats ont été retenus pour l'entretien final.

Three candidates were shortlisted for the final interview.