memory vs retention

memory

noun
  • The ability of the brain to record information or impressions with the facility of recalling them later at will. 

  • Which returns to its original shape when heated 

  • A term of venery for a social group of elephants, normally called a herd. 

  • The time within which past events can be or are remembered. 

  • A record of a thing or an event stored and available for later use by the organism. 

  • The part of a computer that stores variable executable code or data (RAM) or unalterable executable code or default data (ROM). 

  • Synonym of pelmanism (“memory card game”). 

retention

noun
  • A memory; what is retained in the mind 

  • The portion of a potential damange that must be paid for by the holder of an insurance policy. 

  • The act or power of remembering things 

  • The involuntary withholding of urine and faeces 

  • The length of time an individual remains in treatment 

  • The right to withhold a debt, or of retaining property until a debt due to the person claiming the right is duly paid; a lien. 

  • The act of retaining or something retained 

How often have the words memory and retention occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )