maintain

verb

main·​tain mān-ˈtān How to pronounce maintain (audio)
mən-
maintained; maintaining; maintains

transitive verb

1
: to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline
maintain machinery
2
: to sustain against opposition or danger : uphold and defend
maintain a position
3
: to continue or persevere in : carry on, keep up
couldn't maintain his composure
4
a
: to support or provide for
has a family to maintain
b
: sustain
enough food to maintain life
5
: to affirm in or as if in argument : assert
maintained that the earth is flat
maintainability noun
maintainable adjective
maintainer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for maintain

maintain, assert, defend, vindicate, justify mean to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable.

maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

steadfastly maintained his innocence

assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

asserted her rights

defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

defended his voting record

vindicate implies successfully defending.

his success vindicated our faith in him

justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent.

the action was used to justify military intervention

Examples of maintain in a Sentence

They have always maintained high standards of professional conduct. He has found it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. The company has done a poor job of maintaining its computer network. It was obvious that the house had been poorly maintained. She was finding it hard to maintain her balance. She still maintains a close relationship with her college roommate. It's difficult to maintain a correspondence when we're both so busy. The pilot was struggling to maintain control of the aircraft. The police say that they will do whatever is necessary to maintain law and order.
Recent Examples on the Web Within the District Casey Trees in D.C. maintains an inventory of cherry trees across the city. Tim Meko, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 The big ones are establishment institutions that aim to govern and to regulate, to maintain credentials and decorum. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2024 The report notes the staffing level violates state law, which requires the agency maintain a ratio of one staff member for 10 youths. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Besides that, Melina’s mother struggles to strike a balance between her relationship with her new spouse and maintaining a positive relationship with her daughter. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 The Equator Principles website maintains a list of current and past signatories to the standards. Holly Ojalvo, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 Continuing education is critical for both tax strategists and CPAs to maintain their certifications and stay current with the evolving landscape of tax laws and financial regulations. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 These countries additionally receive economic and security assistance in exchange for allowing the United States to maintain a military presence in the region. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2024 The election results stunned and upset families of victims who have maintained that law enforcement could have saved lives that day. Ray Sanchez, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'maintain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mainteinen, from Anglo-French maintenir, maynteiner, from Medieval Latin manutenēre, from Latin manu tenēre to hold in the hand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maintain was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near maintain

Cite this Entry

“Maintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maintain. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

maintain

verb
main·​tain mān-ˈtān How to pronounce maintain (audio)
mən-
1
: to keep in an existing state
especially : to keep in good condition
maintain one's health
maintain machinery
2
: to defend by argument
maintain a position
3
: to continue in : carry on, keep up
maintain your balance
maintain a correspondence
4
: to provide for : support
maintain my family by working
5
: to insist to be true
maintained that all men are equal
maintainable adjective
maintainer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on maintain

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