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