keeping

1 of 2

noun

keep·​ing ˈkē-piŋ 

1

: conformity

in keeping with good taste

out of keeping with the decor

2

: the act of one that keeps: such as

a

: custody, maintenance

b

: observance

c

: a reserving or preserving for future use

3

a

: the means by which something is kept : support, provision

b

: the state of being kept or the condition in which something is kept

the house is in good keeping

keeping

2 of 2

present participle of keep entry 1

Synonyms of keeping

Noun

• custody
• care

Examples of keeping in a Sentence

Noun

put the house keys into a neighbor's secure keeping while they were on vacation

my aunt has all of our family's old photographs in her keeping

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the Phase-1, the team will run feasibility experiments, model EHD performance in Titan-like conditions, explore tethered-power balloon station-keeping, and perform engineering trade studies to define a prototype design for Phase II. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026

Koen also took issue with the coalition’s financial record-keeping and said its rental assistance program is redundant to West Valley Community Services’ program. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

The very nature of the oral tradition, which is decidedly African and characteristically unburdened by the rules of Western record-keeping, is the spirit of its truth, even more than its detail. — Anne Haley, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Strong governance, transparency, and meticulous record-keeping are crucial for maintaining tax-exempt status and ensuring the collection's long-term stewardship. — Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing keeping

• how are you keeping
• in keeping with
• in someone's keeping
• keeping a watching brief
• keeping company with the likes of
• keeping room
• keeping the peace
• out of keeping with
• record-keeping
• standing/keeping guard
• what is keeping someone

Rhymes for keeping

• beeping
• creeping
• heaping
• leaping
• peeping
• reaping
• seeping
• sleeping
• steeping
• sweeping
• weeping
• beekeeping

Kids Definition

keeping

noun

keep·​ing

ˈkē-piŋ

1

: watchful attention : care

2

: a proper or fitting relationship : harmony

in keeping with good taste