keeping

noun

keep·​ing ˈkē-piŋ 

1

: conformity

in keeping with good taste

out of keeping with the decor

2

: the act of one that keeps: such as

a

: custody, maintenance

b

: observance

c

: a reserving or preserving for future use

3

a

: the means by which something is kept : support, provision

b

: the state of being kept or the condition in which something is kept

the house is in good keeping

Synonyms

• care
• custodianship
• custody
• guardianship
• safekeeping
• trust
• ward

Examples of keeping in a Sentence

put the house keys into a neighbor's secure keeping while they were on vacation

my aunt has all of our family's old photographs in her keeping

Recent Examples on the Web

His wit, friendliness and humanity — even in the midst of vital political battles — have always been a reminder that public servants can't succeed without maintaining relationships and keeping perspective. —Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024

The wellness center on the home’s lower level, meanwhile, is poised to be a hotspot for keeping entertained with a gym, treatment room, and game room. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 3 July 2024

Yet pet keeping practices seem to still be taking a toll on them. —Jessica Pierce, TIME, 23 June 2024

Some can’t function at all and others have been forced to resort to paper record keeping for routine services like oil changes, Holton said. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing keeping

• how are you keeping
• in keeping with
• in someone's keeping
• keeping a watching brief
• keeping company with the likes of
• keeping room
• out of keeping with
• record-keeping
• what is keeping someone

Kids Definition

keeping

noun

keep·​ing

ˈkē-piŋ

1

: watchful attention : care

2

: a proper or fitting relationship : harmony

in keeping with good taste