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

Mostly, the Brewers have pitched well enough to have a chance to win most every game, and their lineup has been too tough for opposing bullpens to keep down. — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Seeking a way to maintain the trails, the Copleys decided to rely on foot traffic from hikers to keep down vegetation. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026

Also, keeping down long-term rates could boost economic activity and the threat of inflation. — Steve Liesman,matt Peterson, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026

Temperatures will be kept down on Sunday; toping out in the upper 70s and lower 80s. — Cutter Martin, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for keep down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown