Main Entry:

¹keep

Pronunciation:

\ˈkēp\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

kept \ˈkept\ ; keep·ing

Etymology:

Middle English kepen, from Old English cēpan; perhaps akin to Old High German chapfēn to look

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1: to take notice of by appropriate conduct : fulfill : as a: to be faithful to <keep a promise> b: to act fittingly in relation to <keep the Sabbath> c: to conform to in habits or conduct <keep late hours> d: to stay in accord with (a beat) <keep time> 2: preserve, maintain : as a: to watch over and defend <keep us from harm> b (1): to take care of : tend <keep a garden> (2): support (3): to maintain in a good, fitting, or orderly condition —usually used with up c: to continue to maintain <keep watch> d (1): to cause to remain in a given place, situation, or condition <keep him waiting> (2): to preserve (food) in an unspoiled condition e (1): to have or maintain in an established position or relationship <keep a mistress> —often used with on<kept the cook on> (2): to lodge or feed for pay <keep boarders> f (1): to maintain a record in <keep a diary> (2): to enter in a book <keep records> g: to have customarily in stock for sale 3 a: to restrain from departure or removal : detain <keep children after school> b: hold back, restrain <keep them from going> <kept him back with difficulty> c: save, reserve <keep some for later> <kept some out for a friend> d: to refrain from revealing <keep a secret>4 a: to retain in one's possession or power <kept the money we found> b: to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing <kept the news back> c: to have in control <keep your temper>5: to confine oneself to <keep my room>6 a: to stay or continue in <keep the path> <keep your seat> b: to stay or remain on or in usually against opposition : hold <kept her ground>7: conduct, manage <keep a tearoom>intransitive verb1chiefly British : live, lodge2 a: to maintain a course, direction, or progress <keep to the right> b: to continue usually without interruption <keep talking> <keep quiet> <keep on smiling> c: to persist in a practice <kept bothering them> <kept on smoking in spite of warnings>3: stay, remain <keep out of the way> <keep off the grass>: as a: to stay even —usually used with up<keep up with the Joneses> b: to remain in good condition <meat will keep in the freezer> c: to remain secret <the secret would keep> d: to call for no immediate action <the matter will keep until morning> 4: abstain, refrain <can't keep from talking>5: to be in session <school will keep through the winter — W. M. Thayer>6of a quarterback : to retain possession of a football especially after faking a handoff

— keep an eye on

: watch

— keep at

: to persist in doing or concerning oneself with

— keep company

: to go together as frequent companions or in courtship

— keep house

: to manage a household

— keep one's distance or keep at a distance

: to stay aloof : maintain a reserved attitude

— keep one's eyes open or keep one's eyes peeled

: to be on the alert : be watchful

— keep one's hand in

: to keep in practice

— keep one's head down

: to avoid attracting notice

— keep one's nose clean

: to avoid trouble especially through good behavior

— keep pace

: to stay even ; also : keep up 1

— keep step

: to keep in step

— keep to

1 a: to stay in b: to limit oneself to2: to abide by

— keep to oneself

1: to keep secret <kept the facts to myself>2: to remain solitary or apart from other people

synonyms keep, observe, celebrate, commemorate mean to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed. keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating <kept the Sabbath by refraining from work>. observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance <not all holidays are observed nationally>. celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity <traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner>. commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event <commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths>.

synonyms keep, retain, detain, withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control. keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control <keep this while I'm gone>. retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss <managed to retain their dignity even in poverty>. detain suggests a delay in letting go <detained them for questioning>. withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go <withheld information from the authorities>. reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use <reserve some of your energy for the last mile>.