Detain vs. Retain — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 6, 2024
To detain means to hold or keep someone in custody, typically for legal or security reasons, whereas to retain means to keep possession of or continue to hold something, either physically or in terms of quality or condition.
Difference Between Detain and Retain
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Detaining involves holding a person temporarily and usually implies a restriction of liberty, often by law enforcement or other authorities based on legal grounds. On the other hand, retaining can involve holding onto objects, qualities, information, or positions, and it suggests maintenance or preservation rather than confinement.
The term "detain" is commonly used in legal, security, and law enforcement contexts. For example, police may detain a suspect for questioning. In contrast, "retain" is used in a broader range of contexts, such as retaining knowledge, retaining employees, or retaining moisture, indicating ongoing possession or preservation.
Detention usually has a connotation of compulsion or restraint against one’s will. It often carries a negative implication, as it restricts personal freedom. Conversely, retention generally carries a neutral or positive connotation, reflecting a deliberate choice to keep or maintain what is valued.
The action of detaining is generally temporary and specifically intended to hold someone until further legal action can be determined or until a threat is neutralized. Retaining, however, can be a short-term or long-term action, depending on what is being retained, like retaining legal rights or retaining memories.
In terms of legal rights and personal freedom, the implications of detention are significant, potentially affecting an individual’s liberty and legal rights. Retention, especially in a business or personal development context, emphasizes continuity and stability, such as retaining clients or retaining skills through practice.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To hold in custody or confine.
To keep possession or continue holding something.
Context
Legal, security, law enforcement.
Wide-ranging, including employment, education, environmental science.
Connotation
Often negative, implies restriction of freedom.
Neutral or positive, implies preservation or continuation.
Duration
Typically temporary until legal or procedural resolution.
Can be either short-term or long-term.
Implications
Affects personal freedom and legal rights.
Emphasizes stability, continuity, or preservation.
Compare with Definitions
Detain
Implies restriction or delay.
The travelers were detained at the border for additional screenings.
Retain
Involves holding onto qualities, positions, or conditions.
He has managed to retain his championship title for three consecutive years.
Detain
Temporary in nature.
She was detained for a few hours for questioning before being released.
Retain
Used in contexts like employment, education, and business.
The firm is focusing on strategies to retain its best employees.
Detain
Associated with a lack of freedom.
The activists were detained during the protest.
Retain
To keep in possession or continue to use.
The company retained its profits to reinvest in new projects.
Detain
Used in contexts of law enforcement or security.
Authorities can detain individuals suspected of terrorist activities without a warrant.
Retain
Long-term or permanent keeping.
She retained her interest in classical music throughout her life.
Detain
To hold or keep in custody for legal processing or security reasons.
The officer decided to detain the suspect until further evidence could be gathered.
Retain
Can imply maintenance of conditions or qualities.
This moisturizer helps your skin retain its natural moisture.
Detain
To keep from proceeding; delay or retard
Our friends were detained by heavy traffic.
Retain
To keep possession of; continue to have
The family sold the house but retained the land.
Detain
To keep in custody or confinement
The police detained several suspects for questioning.
Retain
To keep in a particular place or condition
A library that retains the author's papers.
Plants that retain a lot of water.
Detain
(Archaic) To retain or withhold (payment or property, for example).
Retain
To continue to have as a feature or aspect
Retains his good humor after all the setbacks.
Detain
(transitive) To keep someone from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
Retain
To keep in mind; remember
Retains the songs she learned in childhood.
Detain
To put under custody.
Retain
To require (a student) to repeat a class or grade because of insufficient educational progress to advance.
Detain
(transitive) To keep back or from; to withhold.
Retain
To keep in one's service or pay
Retain employees on a workforce.
Detain
(transitive) To seize goods for official purposes.
Retain
To hire (an attorney, for example) by the payment of a fee.
Detain
To keep back or from; to withhold.
Detain not the wages of the hireling.
Retain
To hire a person for (that person's services)
Retained the best legal advice available.
Detain
To restrain from proceeding; to stay or stop; to delay; as, we were detained by an accident.
Let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.
Retain
(transitive) To keep in possession or use.
Detain
To hold or keep in custody.
Retain
(transitive) To keep in one's pay or service.
Detain
Detention.
Retain
(transitive) To employ by paying a retainer.
Detain
Deprive of freedom; take into confinement
Retain
(transitive) To hold secure.
Detain
Cause to be slowed down or delayed;
Traffic was delayed by the bad weather
She delayed the work that she didn't want to perform
Retain
To hold back (a pupil) instead of allowing them to advance to the next class or year.
Retain
(obsolete) To restrain; to prevent.
Retain
To belong; to pertain.
Retain
To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to restrain from departure, escape, or the like.
Be obedient, and retainUnalterably firm his love entire.
An executor may retain a debt due to him from the testator.
Retain
To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor.
A Benedictine convent has now retained the most learned father of their order to write in its defense.
Retain
To restrain; to prevent.
Retain
To belong; to pertain.
A somewhat languid relish, retaining to bitterness.
Retain
To keep; to continue; to remain.
Retain
Hold within;
This soil retains water
I retain this drug for a long time
Retain
Allow to remain in a place or position;
We cannot continue several servants any longer
She retains a lawyer
The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
We kept the work going as long as we could
Retain
Secure and keep for possible future use or application;
The landlord retained the security deposit
I reserve the right to disagree
Retain
Keep in one's mind;
I cannot retain so much information
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to detain someone?
To detain someone means to hold them in custody, typically for legal questioning or as part of security procedures.
Can detention be voluntary?
Detention is rarely voluntary as it involves compulsion or legal authority to restrict freedom.
What is the purpose of retaining something?
The purpose of retaining something is to keep it in possession or continue its use or condition over time.
How can businesses effectively retain employees?
Businesses can retain employees by offering competitive benefits, creating a positive work environment, and providing opportunities for career development.
Why is retention important in education?
Retention in education is important because it ensures that students maintain the knowledge and skills they have learned over time.
Can detention be challenged legally?
Yes, detention can be challenged legally if it is deemed unlawful or without sufficient cause.
What does it mean to retain a lawyer?
To retain a lawyer means to hire and keep them on a payment basis to handle legal matters.
What are the implications of being detained?
Being detained can have significant implications, including temporary loss of freedom and potential legal consequences.
How long can a person be detained?
The duration of detention depends on the legal context but is intended to be temporary until further legal or administrative actions are taken.
How do products help skin retain moisture?
Products help skin retain moisture by creating barriers that lock in moisture or by adding hydrating ingredients that are absorbed by the skin.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
