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
Without sufficient funds, the upkeep of these amenities may decline, potentially lowering property values and diminishing residents’ quality of life.
—
Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
The next phases of the website redesign will focus on fixing issues that arise, as well as ongoing maintenance and upkeep.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
The Pride Cleaners sign has been dark for decades, likely the result of the labor of maintaining its complicated mechanics and the expense of repair and upkeep.
—Elizabeth Blasius, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
What will happen when the original builder decides to sell their group of apartments, will the next owner care about the upkeep as the original owner.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upkeep
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Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
The next phases of the website redesign will focus on fixing issues that arise, as well as ongoing maintenance and upkeep.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
The Pride Cleaners sign has been dark for decades, likely the result of the labor of maintaining its complicated mechanics and the expense of repair and upkeep.
—Elizabeth Blasius, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
What will happen when the original builder decides to sell their group of apartments, will the next owner care about the upkeep as the original owner.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 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 30 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upkeep
noun
up·keep
ˈəp-ˌkēp 
: the act or cost of maintaining in good condition : maintenance
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