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 of upkeep

• maintenance
• preservation
• preserving

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

For one, owning compute infrastructure also requires maintenance and constant upkeep, meaning that specialists have to be brought on board. — Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

With the proper upkeep, this rounded coffee table can center your outdoor conversation sets for years to come. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 27 June 2026

Local contractors restored the building with additional upkeep performed over the years to preserve the building’s integrity and safety. — Pamela Brown, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2026

The handwoven wicker is wrapped around a sturdy steel frame that's built to withstand the elements, while the weather-resistant cushions come with removable, machine-washable covers for easy upkeep. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

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