Meaning & Definition of Keep in English

1. The financial means whereby one lives

• "Each child was expected to pay for their keep"

• "He applied to the state for support"

• "He could no longer earn his own livelihood"

2. The main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

3. A cell in a jail or prison

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

• E.g., "keep clean"

• "Hold in place"

• "She always held herself as a lady"

• "The students keep me on my toes"

2. Continue a certain state, condition, or activity

• "Keep on working!"

• "We continued to work into the night"

• "Keep smiling"

• "We went on working until well past midnight"

3. Retain possession of

• "Can i keep my old stuffed animals?"

• "She kept her maiden name after she married"

4. Stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state

• "We must prevent the cancer from spreading"

• "His snoring kept me from falling asleep"

• "Keep the child from eating the marbles"

5. Conform one's action or practice to

• "Keep appointments"

• "She never keeps her promises"

• "We kept to the original conditions of the contract"

6. Stick to correctly or closely

• "The pianist kept time with the metronome"

• "Keep count"

• "I cannot keep track of all my employees"

7. Look after

• Be the keeper of

• Have charge of

• "He keeps the shop when i am gone"

8. Maintain by writing regular records

• "Keep a diary"

• "Maintain a record"

• "Keep notes"

9. Supply with room and board

• "He is keeping three women in the guest cottage"

• "Keep boarders"

10. Allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature

• "We cannot continue several servants any longer"

• "She retains a lawyer"

• "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"

• "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"

• "We kept the work going as long as we could"

• "She retained her composure"

• "This garment retains its shape even after many washings"

11. Supply with necessities and support

• "She alone sustained her family"

• "The money will sustain our good cause"

• "There's little to earn and many to keep"

12. Fail to spoil or rot

• "These potatoes keep for a long time"

13. Behave as expected during of holidays or rites

• "Keep the commandments"

• "Celebrate christmas"

• "Observe yom kippur"

14. Keep under control

• Keep in check

• "Suppress a smile"

• "Keep your temper"

• "Keep your cool"

15. Maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger

• "May god keep you"

16. Raise

• "She keeps a few chickens in the yard"

• "He keeps bees"

17. Retain rights to

• "Keep my job for me while i give birth"

• "Keep my seat, please"

• "Keep open the possibility of a merger"

18. Store or keep customarily

• "Where do you keep your gardening tools?"

19. Have as a supply

• "I always keep batteries in the freezer"

• "Keep food for a week in the pantry"

• "She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator"

20. Maintain for use and service

• "I keep a car in the countryside"

• "She keeps an apartment in paris for her shopping trips"

21. Hold and prevent from leaving

• "The student was kept after school"

22. Prevent (food) from rotting

• "Preserved meats"

• "Keep potatoes fresh"