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

Rents collected from the affordable housing, Harris said, would be used to support the upkeep of Harris Park, where, as executive director, the most recent 2024 tax documents show Harris was making just over $70,000 year. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026

In addition to daily upkeep, give your glass shower doors a deeper clean once or twice a month (or whenever the glass begins to look cloudy). — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026

According to the union, the museum has failed to maintain upkeep on both its windows and its fan coils. — News Desk, Artforum, 20 July 2026

If white feels like too much upkeep, an off-white, cream or pale blue slipcover can achieve a similar effect with a bit more flexibility. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 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