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

• care and feeding
• conservation
• conserving
• keep
• maintenance
• preservation
• preserving
• sustentation

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

Compared to ultrasonic models, evaporative humidifiers tend to cost less up front, though that balances out with the long-term upkeep cost of replacing filters. —Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2024

Of that total, more than 17% would come from the city’s parks agency, which handles the upkeep of Griffith Park, Elysian Park and hundreds of other open spaces. —David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

upkeep

noun

up·​keep ˈəp-ˌkēp 

: the act or cost of maintaining in good condition : maintenance