Word
maintain
Phoneticsmain·tain
US/meɪnˈteɪn/
UK/meɪntˈeɪn/
Definitions
01to keep in good condition
v. to keep something like a building, car, or road in good working order by checking it and repairing it regularly.
v. to keep a physical object or system in good condition through regular inspection and repair. Transitive; requires a direct object.
“The city spends a lot of money to maintain the public parks and playgrounds.”
“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.
02to continue a state
v. to make sure that a situation or a feeling continues and does not change.
v. to cause a state, condition, or relationship to continue without interruption or decline.
“It is important to maintain a healthy diet even when you are busy with work.”
“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.
Antonyms
03to assert or claim
v. to say strongly that something is true, especially when other people do not believe you.
v. to state or assert a position strongly, often in the face of opposition or doubt. Frequently followed by a 'that' clause.
“The witness continued to maintain that he had never seen the man before.”
“Throughout the investigation, the suspect maintained his innocence, claiming he was at home during the time of the robbery.”
Academic · Formal
Usage
Typically used in legal, academic, or formal reporting contexts.
Real-World Examples
“But World Athletics said it will maintain the ban it imposed shortly after Russian forces invaded Ukraine more than four years ago.” “What do you think is best for you to keep improving, to keep pushing yourself, and to maintain that ambition?” “There is also the issue of cost; people who buy buildings with green roofs may have different budgets or priorities and do not necessarily want to spend the time or money to maintain them.” “They had moved into their first home and his physical injuries, plus the stress of being unable to work or maintain the house, sent him to a dark place.” Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Collocations
Word family
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englishreference.com/q/maintain