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
This oversized outdoor wreath features chrysanthemums and hydrangeas crafted from fade-resistant fabric designed to stay fresh and vibrant without the upkeep.
—
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2026
In the end, upkeep for this notional million-satellite mega constellation could take on the order of 10 Starship launches per day, forever.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
Edging is also practical for ongoing yard upkeep, creating a clear boundary that makes mowing easier and helps keep mulch or wood chips from drifting into your driveway.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
Inflation and rising personnel costs have led to a constant increase in the price of the upkeep of the building, the cathedral chapter said.
—ABC News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upkeep
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Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2026
In the end, upkeep for this notional million-satellite mega constellation could take on the order of 10 Starship launches per day, forever.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
Edging is also practical for ongoing yard upkeep, creating a clear boundary that makes mowing easier and helps keep mulch or wood chips from drifting into your driveway.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
Inflation and rising personnel costs have led to a constant increase in the price of the upkeep of the building, the cathedral chapter said.
—ABC News, 5 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 10 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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