Main Entry: main·te·nance

Pronunciation: \ˈmānt-nən(t)s, ˈmān-tə-nən(t)s\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from maintenir

Date: 14th century

1 : the act of maintaining : the state of being maintained : support
2 : something that maintains
3 : the upkeep of property or equipment
4 : an officious or unlawful intermeddling in a legal suit by assisting either party with means to carry it on