# maintaining

/meɪnˈteɪnɪŋ/ (US) · /meɪntˈeɪnɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/maintaining
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. keeping in good condition

verb · CEFR B2

keeping something like a building, car, or road in good working order.

For teachers: the act of performing regular upkeep on physical infrastructure or equipment to prevent deterioration.

- Maintaining your car regularly will help it last much longer.
- Maintaining the historic bridge requires specialized engineering teams to inspect the ironwork for signs of fatigue every six months.

Usage: Often used as a gerund acting as the subject of a sentence.

### 2. continuing a state

verb · CEFR B2

keeping a situation or a feeling going without letting it stop.

For teachers: sustaining a particular state, condition, or level of activity over a period of time.

- Maintaining a healthy diet is easier if you plan your meals in advance.
- The central bank is focused on maintaining price stability despite the volatile fluctuations in the global energy market.

Usage: Takes a direct object representing the state or condition being preserved.

### 3. asserting a fact

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

continuing to say that something is true, even if other people do not believe you.

For teachers: strongly asserting or adhering to a position or statement in the face of opposition or doubt.

- He is still maintaining that he was at home during the accident.
- Despite the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution, the defendant remained steadfast in maintaining his innocence throughout the trial.

Usage: Often followed by a 'that' clause.

### 4. the process of upkeep

noun · CEFR B2

the work needed to keep something in good condition.

For teachers: the systematic process of preservation or the functional upkeep of a system.

- The maintaining of the garden takes up most of her weekend.
- The constant maintaining of the software is necessary to protect the network against emerging security threats.

Teaching tip: While 'maintaining' can be a noun, 'maintenance' is much more common for the general concept of upkeep.

## Examples

- The city is responsible for maintaining the local parks.
- Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for preventing burnout in high-pressure corporate environments.
- The engineering team is tasked with maintaining the structural integrity of the bridge through rigorous monthly inspections and immediate repairs of any detected corrosion.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.