What does the term “retain” refer to in military tactics?

In military tactics, the term "retain" most accurately refers to keeping a terrain feature free from enemy use. This strategic consideration is crucial because control of terrain can significantly impact the effectiveness of military operations. When forces retain a terrain feature, they effectively ensure that the enemy cannot utilize it for their advantage, thus establishing a foothold in a region that can be leveraged for future operations.

Such retention plays a vital role in defensive strategies, where maintaining control over specific geographic locations can provide a positional advantage, improve the security of forces, or enhance supply lines. By preventing enemy access, friendly forces can create a buffer zone that complicates the enemy's operations and planning.

Other interpretations, although related to military operations, do not encapsulate the primary use of the term "retain" in this context, highlighting its specific focus on the security and control of terrain against enemy forces.