Pronunciations (3)
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/meɪnˈteɪn/
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/mənˈteɪn/
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meɪnˈteɪn
Verb
To keep up; to preserve; to uphold (a state, condition etc.).
- Synonyms
- Examples
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maintain contact
maintain order
More examples (7)
maintain a relationship
It’s important to maintain good posture while sitting.
She struggled to maintain her composure under pressure.
Ther[idamas]. Won with thy words, & conquered with thy lookes, I yeeld my ſelfe, my men & horſe to thee: To be partaker of thy good or ill, As long as life maintaines Theridimas.
This time was most dreadful for Lilian. Thrown on her own resources and almost penniless, she maintained herself and paid the rent of a wretched room near the hospital by working as a charwoman, sempstress, anything. In a moment she had dropped to the level of a casual labourer.
Mancini's men were far from their best but dug in to earn a 10th win in 11 league games and an eighth successive victory in all competitions to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table.
Reindeer are well suited to the taiga’s frigid winters. They can maintain a thermogradient between body core and the environment of up to 100 degrees, in part because of insulation provided by their fur, and in part because of counter-current vascular heat exchange systems in their legs and nasal passages.
To declare or affirm (a clause) to be true; to assert.
- Examples
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Pullman traditionalists will no doubt maintain that the full-service-at-every-seat principle is popular with their clientele; [...].
More examples (2)
She maintains that the internet should face similar curbs to TV because young people are increasingly living online. "It's totally different, someone at Google watching the video from the comfort of their office in San Francisco to someone from a council house in London, where this video is happening right outside their front door."
Rail Minister Lord Hendy was quizzed by the same MPs at an earlier hearing. He maintained that the Bill gave Mayors "much enhanced power" and preserved the existing processes by which rail services can be devolved. "The intention, more widely, is to work collaboratively with all devolved leaders to meet local needs," he said. "It has to be tempered by the reality, which is that the railway network is not generally consistent with mayoral boundaries. […]".
To keep in good condition and working order.
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More examples (1)
The admirable smoothness of the riding also reflected the greatest credit on those who, despite the difficulties caused by the shortage of men and materials, have succeeded in maintaining the track in such first-class order.
To support (someone), to back up or assist (someone) in an action.
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
- Examples
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More examples (2)
And thenne he asked leue & wente oute of his heremytage for to mayntene his neuewe ageynst the myghty Erle and so hit happed that this man that lyeth here dede dyd so moche by his wysedome and hardynes that the Erle was take and thre of his lordes by force of this dede man.
When I left Mr. Bates, I went down to my Father; where, by the Aſſiſtance of him and my Uncle John, and ſome other Relations, I got forty Pounds, and a Promiſe of thirty Pounds a year to maintain me at Leyden: there I ſtudied Phyſick two years and ſeven months, knowing it would be uſeful in long Voyages.
To keep composed; to keep one's head up; to stay confident, strong, self-assured; to avoid being a victim; to keep oneself from falling apart.
Usage- Intransitive
- Slang
- Examples
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No matter what, you gotta maintain.
Verb
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity
- Examples
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hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
More examples (1)
The students keep me on my toes
keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction
- Broader terms
- Examples
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We preserve these archeological findings
The old lady could not keep up the building
More examples (2)
children must be taught to conserve our national heritage
The museum curator conserved the ancient manuscripts
supply with necessities and support
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She alone sustained her family
The money will sustain our good cause
More examples (1)
There's little to earn and many to keep
state categorically
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
have and exercise
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wield power and authority
maintain for use and service
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I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
maintain by writing regular records
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- Examples
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keep a diary
maintain a record
More examples (1)
keep notes
state or assert
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- Broader terms
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He maintained his innocence
support against an opponent
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- Examples
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The appellate court upheld the verdict
stick to correctly or closely
- Broader terms
- Examples
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The pianist kept time with the metronome
keep count
More examples (1)
I cannot keep track of all my employees