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
All upkeep takes place year-round at the DCC's official salon, Tangerine.
—
Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026
Blunt bangs look fantastic on thick hair but need regular upkeep.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Regular upkeep and smart appliance placement help prevent grime buildup.
—Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 16 June 2026
Over time, the suede softens while still holding its shape, giving the shoe a long lifespan with minimal upkeep.
—Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for upkeep
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Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 20 June 2026
Blunt bangs look fantastic on thick hair but need regular upkeep.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Regular upkeep and smart appliance placement help prevent grime buildup.
—Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 16 June 2026
Over time, the suede softens while still holding its shape, giving the shoe a long lifespan with minimal upkeep.
—Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 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 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upkeep
noun
up·keep
ˈəp-ˌkēp 
: the act or cost of maintaining in good condition : maintenance
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