Meaning of maintain in English

1. Pronunciation

   /meɪnˈteɪn/

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1. Verb

   maintain

   Etymology

   Middle English (also in the sense ‘practice an action habitually’): from Old French maintenir, from Latin manu tenere‘hold in the hand’

   Definitions

   1. keep in a certain state, position, or activity

   Examples

   • « e.g., keep clean »
   • « hold in place »
   • « She always held herself as a lady »
   • « The students keep me on my toes »
2. 2. keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction

   Examples

   • « We preserve these archeological findings »
   • « The old lady could not keep up the building »
   • « children must be taught to conserve our national heritage »
   • « The museum curator conserved the an »
3. 3. supply with necessities and support

   Examples

   • « She alone sustained her family »
   • « The money will sustain our good cause »
   • « There's little to earn and many to keep »
4. 4. state categorically
5. 5. of power or authority
6. 6. maintain for use and service

   Examples

   • « I keep a car in the countryside »
   • « She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips »
7. 7. maintain by writing regular records

   Examples

   • « keep a diary »
   • « maintain a record »
   • « keep notes »
8. 8. state or assert

   Examples

   • « He maintained his innocence »
9. 9. support against an opponent

   Examples

   • « The appellate court upheld the verdict »
10. 10. observe correctly or closely

    Examples

    • « The pianist kept time with the metronome »
    • « keep count »
    • « I cannot keep track of all my employees »