retainer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These are common in personal injury cases, because the clients often don’t have the wherewithal to pay a lawyer’s retainer fee in advance.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2026

Without having proxy advisers on retainer, annual meetings are dominated by those who do: asset managers and activist investors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 5, 2025

"In the American version, it's a very expensive format, having a writers' room and keeping a cast of actors on retainer, essentially, the whole time. That's really expensive," Lewis told BBC Radio 4's PM programme.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2025

He also insisted that his client only ever paid Cohen for his legal work, subject to a retainer that was never documented.

From Salon • May 29, 2024

The peanut butter molds to the roof of my mouth like a retainer.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson