retain possession of

/rɪˈteɪn pəˈzɛʃən ɒv/

phrase★Intermediate— keep ownership of

formal

To continue to have or hold something as one's own

The museum will retain possession of the artifact indefinitely.

The museum will keep the artifact as its own forever.

She retained possession of the property after the divorce.

She kept ownership of the property after the divorce.

💡

Often used in legal or formal contexts to describe maintaining ownership or control over something.

Collocations

to no longer have ownership or control of something

This phrase is often used in legal or formal contexts, such as contracts or legal documents.

Derived from the verb 'retain' (to keep) and 'possession' (ownership or control).

This phrase is commonly used in legal, business, and formal contexts to describe maintaining ownership or control over something.

retain

to keep or continue to have

root

possession

ownership or control of something

root

indicates the object being retained

preposition

English Dictionary