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What is the primary meaning of "retention"?

  1. Loss of information

  2. Sending away

  3. Keeping and holding

  4. Forgetting and dismissing

The correct answer is: Keeping and holding

The primary meaning of "retention" is indeed about keeping and holding. In various contexts, retention refers to the ability to retain or keep information, materials, or individuals in a particular state or condition. For example, in educational settings, retention often relates to the retention of knowledge, meaning how well information is kept and recalled over time. Similarly, in business, employee retention refers to the organization's ability to keep its employees from leaving. This core idea of maintaining possession or control is what makes keeping and holding the most accurate definition of "retention." The other options focus on aspects contrary to the meaning of retention, such as loss or sending away, which do not align with the concept of holding or keeping something.