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 verb 1 : 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 verb 1 chiefly British : live, lodge
2 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>
6 of 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 to
2 : 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>.