In parliamentary procedure, if a motion is not adopted, it is termed?

In parliamentary procedure, when a motion is not adopted, it is indeed referred to as "lost." This terminology indicates that the motion did not receive enough support from the members present to pass. When members vote on a motion and the majority is not in favor, the motion fails to move forward and is officially recorded as lost.

Understanding this terminology is crucial for participants in meetings governed by parliamentary procedure, as it distinguishes between motions that have been approved and those that have failed. The other terms mentioned serve different functions: "carried" means the motion was approved, "postponed" indicates that the discussion on the motion has been deferred to a later time, and "retained" typically implies that a matter is being held for further consideration rather than immediately acted upon. Therefore, the correct identification of "lost" clarifies the status of motions in the context of parliamentary discussions.