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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 »

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