upkeep

noun

up·​keep ˈəp-ˌkēp 

1

: the act of maintaining in good condition : the state of being maintained in good condition

2

: the cost of maintaining in good condition

Synonyms

• care and feeding
• conservation
• conserving
• keep
• maintenance
• preservation
• preserving
• sustentation

Examples of upkeep in a Sentence

Who is responsible for the upkeep of these buildings?

Once your car gets that old, the cost of upkeep can get very expensive.

The yard requires very little upkeep.

We sold our horse because we could no longer afford its upkeep.

Recent Examples on the Web

Perennials are much less work than annuals, which require yearly planting, and once they are established, most perennials require little upkeep. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2025

The struggle to maintain full, youthful-looking eyebrows is often a daily frustration — one filled with pencils, gels, microblading appointments and constant upkeep. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Banks can leverage these to streamline development, reducing the costs of infrastructure upkeep and improving its flexibility. —Roman Eloshvili, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Her philosophy is particularly effective for everyday upkeep. —Christopher Rosa, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for upkeep

• asleep
• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• reap
• seep

Kids Definition

upkeep

noun

up·​keep ˈəp-ˌkēp 

: the act or cost of maintaining in good condition : maintenance