Meaning & Definition of Maintain in English
English⟶
Maintain
/menten/
verb
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"
synonym:
- keep,
- maintain,
- hold
2. Keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction
- "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 ancient manuscripts"
synonym:
- conserve,
- preserve,
- maintain,
- keep up
3. 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"
synonym:
- sustain,
- keep,
- maintain
4. State categorically
synonym:
- assert,
- asseverate,
- maintain
5. Have and exercise
- "Wield power and authority"
synonym:
- wield,
- exert,
- maintain
6. Maintain for use and service
- "I keep a car in the countryside"
- "She keeps an apartment in paris for her shopping trips"
synonym:
- keep,
- maintain
7. Maintain by writing regular records
- "Keep a diary"
- "Maintain a record"
- "Keep notes"
synonym:
- keep,
- maintain
8. State or assert
- "He maintained his innocence"
synonym:
- maintain,
- defend
9. Support against an opponent
- "The appellate court upheld the verdict"
synonym:
- uphold,
- maintain
10. Stick to correctly or closely
- "The pianist kept time with the metronome"
- "Keep count"
- "I cannot keep track of all my employees"
synonym:
- observe,
- keep,
- maintain
Examples of using
I maintain that I'm not at fault.
Laser printers are generally less expensive to maintain than ink jet printers
Foundations maintain the structure of the building.