keep down

verb

kept down; keeping down; keeps down

transitive verb

1
: to keep in control
keep expenses down
2
: to prevent from growing, advancing, or succeeding

Examples of keep down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The Schwartz couldn't be kept down. Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 Reasons to contact your doctor include inability to keep down fluids, persistent diarrhea over three days, high fevers and bloody stools. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 13 June 2025 According to past reporting, the city always planned to issue additional bonds to help pay for these projects so that interest costs could be kept down by borrowing only the money the city needed at that time. R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025 Total May revenues for Old Dominion were also impacted by lower fuel prices, which kept down rates. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for keep down

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of keep down was in 1548

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Keep down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20down. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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