What does "maintain" mean?

1. (to keep in good condition) to keep something like a building, car, or road in good working order by checking it and repairing it regularly. 2. (to continue a state) to make sure that a situation or a feeling continues and does not change. 3. (to assert or claim) to say strongly that something is true, especially when other people do not believe you.

How do you use "maintain"?

Often used with physical infrastructure or machinery. Commonly takes abstract nouns like 'standards', 'order', 'contact', or 'silence' as objects. Typically used in legal, academic, or formal reporting contexts.

maintain

US //meɪnˈteɪn// UK //meɪntˈeɪn// main·tain

1 to keep in good condition (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to keep something like a building, car, or road in good working order by checking it and repairing it regularly.

to keep a physical object or system in good condition through regular inspection and repair. Transitive; requires a direct object.

Example

The city spends a lot of money to maintain the public parks and playgrounds.

Example

The airline's reputation for safety rests on its rigorous protocols to maintain its fleet of aircraft to the highest international standards.

Usage

Often used with physical infrastructure or machinery.
- service
- keep up
- repair
- neglect
- ignore
2 to continue a state (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to make sure that a situation or a feeling continues and does not change.

to cause a state, condition, or relationship to continue without interruption or decline.

Example

It is important to maintain a healthy diet even when you are busy with work.

Example

Despite the intense pressure from the media, the two countries managed to maintain a diplomatic relationship throughout the crisis.

Usage

Commonly takes abstract nouns like 'standards', 'order', 'contact', or 'silence' as objects.
- abandon
- discontinue

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3 to assert or claim (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Formal

to say strongly that something is true, especially when other people do not believe you.

to state or assert a position strongly, often in the face of opposition or doubt. Frequently followed by a 'that' clause.

Example

The witness continued to maintain that he had never seen the man before.

Example

Throughout the investigation, the suspect maintained his innocence, claiming he was at home during the time of the robbery.

Usage

Typically used in legal, academic, or formal reporting contexts.
- deny
- concede

Origin

From Middle English mayntenen, from Old French maintenir, from Late Latin manūteneō, manūtenēre (“I support”), from Latin manū (“with/in/by the hand”, ablative of manus) + tenēre (“to hold”).

Word family

Verbmaintain
Nounmaintainability