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Definition of sustain
transitive verb
1 : to give support or relief to
2 : to supply with sustenance : nourish
4 : to support the weight of : prop; also : to carry or withstand (a weight or pressure)
5 : to buoy up sustained by hope
6a : to bear up underb : suffer, undergo sustained heavy losses
7a : to support as true, legal, or justb : to allow or admit as valid the court sustained the motion
8 : to support by adequate proof : confirm testimony that sustains our contention
sustainer
nounRead the Latest from M-W
sustain was our Word of the Day on 10/10/2011. Hear the podcast!
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Examples of sustain in a Sentence
Hope sustained us during that difficult time.
The roof, unable to sustain the weight of all the snow, collapsed.
The army sustained heavy losses.
He sustained serious injuries in the accident.
sustain
Definition of sustain
: a musical effect that prolongs a note's resonance utilizing heavy sustain on his guitar — Bill Dahl
Recent Examples of sustain from the Web
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In all, the team started three different quarterbacks throughout the year, had a fourth sustain a season-ending injury during fall camp and a fifth waiting in the wings in case of an emergency.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sustain'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of sustain
1972
SUSTAIN Defined for English Language Learners
sustain
playDefinition of sustain for English Language Learners
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: to provide what is needed for (something or someone) to exist, continue, etc.
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: to hold up the weight of (something)
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: to deal with or experience (something bad or unpleasant)
SUSTAIN Defined for Kids
sustain
playDefinition of sustain for Students
sustained
;sustaining
1 : to provide with what is needed Food sustains life.
2 : to keep up the spirits of Hope sustained us.
3 : to keep up : prolong This author's books sustain my interest.
4 : to hold up the weight of The roof couldn't sustain the weight of the snow.
5 : 2experience The army sustained heavy losses.
6 : to allow or uphold as true, legal, or fair The judge sustained the motion to dismiss the case.
Law Dictionary
Learn More about sustain
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sustain Spanish Central: Translation of sustain Nglish: Translation of sustain for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sustain for Arabic speakers
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