retainer

/rɪˈteɪnər/
noun
  1. A fee paid in advance to secure someone's services, especially a lawyer or consultant.
    • We pay a monthly retainer to our accountant for ongoing tax advice.
    • The lawyer asked for a $2,000 retainer before starting the case.
    • The consultant worked under a retainer agreement for six months.
  2. A device worn in the mouth to keep teeth in position after orthodontic treatment.
    • He forgot his retainer at home and worried his teeth might shift.
    • The orthodontist cleaned the retainer and checked for any damage.
    • After getting her braces off, she had to wear a retainer every night.
  3. A person or thing that holds something in place or keeps it secure.
    • The old retainer in the castle was responsible for maintaining the keys.
    • The retainer on the door hinge kept it from swinging open.
    • A cable retainer prevented the wires from tangling.
Synonyms
What does "retainer" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean