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

But the building has been empty for a few years, and Homburg says it's had minimal upkeep. — Jessica Riley, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

The sales tax funds free admission to state parks and historic sites, upgrades to trail systems and park amenities and upkeep on the structures, campsites and trails overseen by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

Villela and her children continued to live in the house, without paying rent but maintaining the mortgage and its upkeep, until last summer when Attard obtained a court order for their eviction. — Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026

The State Local Bridge Program has offered a total of $180 million in grants in 2026 for construction and upkeep. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 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