maintain
verb
main·tain
| \ mān-ˈtān
, mən-\
, mən-\
maintained;
maintaining;
maintains
Definition of maintain
1
: to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline
maintain machinery
2
: to sustain against opposition or danger : uphold and defend
maintain a position
4a
: to support or provide for
has a family to maintain
b
: sustain
enough food to maintain life
5
: to affirm in or as if in argument : assert
maintained that the earth is flat
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Other Words from maintain
maintainability
\ mān-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē
\
noun
\
noun
maintainable
\ mān-ˈtā-nə-bəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
maintainer
noun
Examples of maintain in a Sentence
They have always maintained high standards of professional conduct.
He has found it difficult to maintain a healthy weight.
The company has done a poor job of maintaining its computer network.
It was obvious that the house had been poorly maintained.
She was finding it hard to maintain her balance.
She still maintains a close relationship with her college roommate.
It's difficult to maintain a correspondence when we're both so busy.
The pilot was struggling to maintain control of the aircraft.
The police say that they will do whatever is necessary to maintain law and order.
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Recent Examples on the Web
The database considered to be the most complete is maintained by The Washington Post. — Lynne Peeples, Scientific American, "What the Data Say about Police Shootings," 5 Sep. 2019 Lake’s remaining cities — Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Howey-in-the-Hills, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Montverde and Umatilla — plan to maintain the same tax rate. — Jerry Fallstrom, orlandosentinel.com, "Most Lake governments poised to reap dividends from growing tax base," 4 Sep. 2019 There will also be a temporary speed reduction on the bridge to maintain a safe environment for construction crews and other bridge users. — oregonlive, "Portland metro Wednesday traffic: Night work in Troutdale closes I-84 exit 17," 4 Sep. 2019 Back in April, just one month after Trump issued his idle boast, the manufacturing index maintained by the Institute for Supply Management, a nonprofit trade group, started to drop. — John Cassidy, The New Yorker, "Will Trump Back Down as His Trade War with China Bites the U.S. Economy?," 4 Sep. 2019 Saxon might be gone, but Liberty’s ability to maintain its pack running has continuously helped the Lions find success. — Megan Woodward, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Fall Sports Previews: Three things to watch for boys cross country in 2019," 3 Sep. 2019 The episode shocked Florida lawmakers into action, compelling them to pass a law that requires nursing homes to have backup generators and enough fuel to maintain comfortable temperatures during power failures. — Patricia Mazzei, New York Times, "The Lessons Florida Has Learned From Past Hurricanes," 3 Sep. 2019 The organization has held several meetings with residents on creating a design for the space, as well as maintaining the property. — Micah Walker, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Audubon turns east side park into a haven for bird watchers," 3 Sep. 2019 Police said one driver has been charged with driving with no license and failure to maintain lane. — David Wickert, ajc, "Infant dies following early morning crash on I-285," 2 Sep. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maintain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for maintain
maintain
verb
English Language Learners Definition of maintain
: to cause (something) to exist or continue without changing
: to keep (something) in good condition by making repairs, correcting problems, etc.
: to continue having or doing (something)
See the full definition for maintain in the English Language Learners Dictionary
maintain
verb
main·tain
| \ mān-ˈtān
\
\
maintained;
maintaining