What does "maintained" mean?

1. (kept in good condition) to have looked after something so that it stays in good working order. 2. (asserted or claimed) to have continued to say that something is true, even if others disagree. 3. (continued a state) to have kept something going at the same level or speed. 4. (well-kept) describing something that is clean, tidy, and in good repair.

How do you use "maintained"?

often used in the passive voice to describe infrastructure or machinery. often followed by a 'that' clause. frequently used with abstract nouns like 'silence', 'order', or 'speed'.

maintained

v. · adj.

US //meɪnˈteɪnd// UK //meɪntˈeɪnd// main·tained

1 kept in good condition (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to have looked after something so that it stays in good working order.

to have performed regular repairs or checks to keep a physical object or system in a functional state.

Example

The old car was well maintained and still ran perfectly after twenty years.

Example

The engineering team maintained the bridge throughout the decade, ensuring that structural fatigue never compromised the safety of the commuters.

Usage

often used in the passive voice to describe infrastructure or machinery.
- serviced
- preserved
- upkept
- neglected
- ignored
2 asserted or claimed (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

to have continued to say that something is true, even if others disagree.

to have asserted a position or claim strongly and consistently.

Example

He maintained that he was innocent even after the police showed him the evidence.

Example

Throughout the cross-examination, the witness maintained that she had seen the defendant leave the building shortly before the alarm sounded.

Usage

often followed by a 'that' clause.
- denied
- retracted

Show 2 more sensesShow fewer

3 continued a state (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to have kept something going at the same level or speed.

to have caused a process or state to continue without a decrease in intensity or quality.

Example

The runner maintained a steady pace for the entire marathon.

Example

The security forces maintained order during the protest, preventing the situation from escalating into a violent confrontation.

Usage

frequently used with abstract nouns like 'silence', 'order', or 'speed'.
- sustained
- continued
- kept up
- stopped
- dropped
4 well-kept (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

describing something that is clean, tidy, and in good repair.

characterised by regular care and attention to detail; often used in real estate or technical contexts.

Example

The house had a beautifully maintained garden with no weeds in sight.

Example

The facility was a model of a maintained environment, where every piece of equipment was calibrated and polished daily.
- dilapidated
- run down