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maintain Definition

main·tain (mān tān′)

transitive verb

  1. to keep or keep up; continue in or with; carry on
    1. to keep in existence or continuance food maintains life
    2. to keep in a certain condition or position, esp. of efficiency, good repair, etc.; preserve to maintain roads
  3. to keep or hold (a place, position, etc.) against attack; defend
    1. to uphold or defend, as by argument; affirm
    2. to declare in a positive way; assert
  5. to support by aid, influence, protection, etc.
  6. to support by providing means of existence; bear the expenses of to maintain a family

Etymology: ME mainteinen < OFr maintenir < ML manutenere < L manu tenere, to hold in the hand < manu, abl. of manus, hand + tenere, to hold: see manual & tenant

maintain Related Forms
main·tain′·able adjective main·tain′er noun
maintain Synonyms

maintain

v.

  1. To uphold

    support, hold up, advance, keep; see support 2, sustain 1.

  2. To assert

    state, affirm, attest; see declare 1, report 1, say.

  3. To keep ready for use

    preserve, keep, conserve, repair, withhold, renew, cache, reserve, defer, hold back, have in store, keep on, care for, save, put away, set aside, store up, husband, keep for, keep prepared, lay aside, lay away, set by, keep on hand, keep in reserve, set apart, keep in condition, keep in readiness, keep up, keep aside, control, hold over, manage, direct, have, own, sustain, secure, stick to, stand by; see also prepare 1.

    Antonyms waste*, neglect*, consume. *

  4. To continue

    carry on, persevere, keep up, keep on; see continue 1.

  5. To support

    provide for, care for, take care of, keep; see support 5, sustain 2. See syn. study at support.

maintain Usage Examples

Used with why or when

  • which: The equipment was also very good & was well maintained which was obvious to even a student of Skydiving.

Object

  • standard: There is a specific lack of the children's nurses required to maintain standards in acute children's services.
  • confidentiality: In addition, the Operating Agreement is not required to be publicly filed, maintaining confidentiality of the ownership structure.
  • momentum: After nine holes we were 7 under for the day but regrettably could not maintain the momentum.
  • balance: The rules are there to help you maintain a balance.
  • integrity: Who Can Apply To maintain the integrity of Punk & Oi In The UK Limited, adverts must be related to the website contents.
  • relationship: There is also growing concern about the role of fathers and the need for children to maintain a good relationship with both their parents.

Preposition: on

  • basis: Once installed, such systems will be maintained on a regular basis.

Subject

  • grazing: Management Open sunny habitats need to be maintained by grazing or periodic control of scrub and tree invasion.
  • owner: The property has been well maintained by the current owner and further benefits from additional storage space from a. .

Modifying Another Word

  • poorly: It has been poorly maintained, a common problem with educational buildings.
  • properly: Handling equipment should be properly maintained ( Paragraph 151 ).
  • beautifully: Grounds - two acres of beautifully maintained lawned grounds where you can picnic, play ball games and let the children run free.
  • well: The foreign character of the weights here is then well maintained by the larger number we have now got.

Preposition: at

  • follow-up: Firstly, are the patterns of cognitive competence maintained at longitudinal follow-up?
  • level: Ensure that all standards of service are maintained at quality levels sufficient to retain the Brigade's Charter Mark Award.

Preposition: in

  • accordance: Equipment maintenance All equipment should be cleaned and maintained in accordance with documented procedures.
  • condition: The village piste has good snow all season and is maintained in pristine condition by snow cannons.

Preposition: by

  • grazing: Management Open sunny habitats need to be maintained by grazing or periodic control of scrub and tree invasion.
  • owner: The property has been well maintained by the current owner and further benefits from additional storage space from a. .