1
: the act of maintaining in good condition : the state of being maintained in good condition
2
: the cost of maintaining in good condition
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
Patio furniture covers actually save you a lot of time and upkeep, especially during pollen season.
—
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
When the roadway project is completed, Cook County will be responsible for maintaining the entirety of Oakton Street, with the village responsible for routine maintenance of the bicycle lanes and general upkeep for the road, landscaping and sidewalks.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Under the previous policy, these institutions would negotiate with the NIH for individual rates — to cover expenses not directly linked to the goals of a particular project, like facility upkeep and salaries for grant management staff.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 8 Apr. 2026
Frustrated with the constant upkeep he’s required to do in his job for Old Art (Miguel Bonilla), the Curator eagerly opens the crate to reveal a statue reminiscent of Michelangelo’s David.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upkeep
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Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
When the roadway project is completed, Cook County will be responsible for maintaining the entirety of Oakton Street, with the village responsible for routine maintenance of the bicycle lanes and general upkeep for the road, landscaping and sidewalks.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Under the previous policy, these institutions would negotiate with the NIH for individual rates — to cover expenses not directly linked to the goals of a particular project, like facility upkeep and salaries for grant management staff.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 8 Apr. 2026
Frustrated with the constant upkeep he’s required to do in his job for Old Art (Miguel Bonilla), the Curator eagerly opens the crate to reveal a statue reminiscent of Michelangelo’s David.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upkeep
Cite this Entry
“Upkeep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upkeep. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upkeep
noun
up·keep
ˈəp-ˌkēp 
: the act or cost of maintaining in good condition : maintenance
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