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Meaning of maintain in English
Pronunciation
/meɪnˈteɪn/
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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.
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.
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.
state categorically
5.
of power or authority
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.
maintain by writing regular records
Examples
« keep a diary »
« maintain a record »
« keep notes »
8.
state or assert
Examples
« He maintained his innocence »
9.
support against an opponent
Examples
« The appellate court upheld the verdict »
10.
observe correctly or closely
Examples
« The pianist kept time with the metronome »
« keep count »
« I cannot keep track of all my employees »