What does "keeping" mean?

1. (care or custody) the responsibility of looking after something or keeping it safe. 2. (matching or harmony) the way something fits or matches with other things around it.

How do you use "keeping"?

Commonly appears in the phrase 'in someone's keeping'. Almost always used in the fixed phrases 'in keeping with' or 'out of keeping with'.

keeping

US //ˈkipɪŋ// UK //kˈiːpɪŋ// keep·ing

1 care or custody (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

the responsibility of looking after something or keeping it safe.

the state of being in charge or having the care of something; often used with 'in' or 'into'.

Example

The lawyer left the original documents in the keeping of the bank.

Example

The priceless artifacts were placed in the keeping of the national museum until a more secure facility could be constructed.

Usage

Commonly appears in the phrase 'in someone's keeping'.
- custody
- care
- safekeeping
- neglect
2 matching or harmony (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the way something fits or matches with other things around it.

conformity, harmony, or consistency with a particular style, tradition, or set of facts.

Example

The new modern windows were not in keeping with the old house.

Example

The proposed glass skyscraper was deemed not in keeping with the historic character of the surrounding medieval district.

Usage

Almost always used in the fixed phrases 'in keeping with' or 'out of keeping with'.
- conflict
- disagreement