maintain

verb

main·​tain mān-ˈtān 

mən-

maintained; maintaining; maintains

transitive verb

1

: to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline

maintain machinery

2

: to sustain against opposition or danger : uphold and defend

maintain a position

3

: to continue or persevere in : carry on, keep up

couldn't maintain his composure

4

a

: to support or provide for

has a family to maintain

b

: sustain

enough food to maintain life

5

: to affirm in or as if in argument : assert

maintained that the earth is flat

maintainability

mān-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

maintainable

mān-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

adjective

maintainer noun

Synonyms

• preserve
• conserve

Choose the Right Synonym for maintain

maintain, assert, defend, vindicate, justify mean to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable.

maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

steadfastly maintained his innocence

assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

asserted her rights

defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

defended his voting record

vindicate implies successfully defending.

his success vindicated our faith in him

justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent.

the action was used to justify military intervention

Examples of maintain in a Sentence

They have always maintained high standards of professional conduct.

He has found it difficult to maintain a healthy weight.

The company has done a poor job of maintaining its computer network.

It was obvious that the house had been poorly maintained.

She was finding it hard to maintain her balance.

She still maintains a close relationship with her college roommate.

It's difficult to maintain a correspondence when we're both so busy.

The pilot was struggling to maintain control of the aircraft.

The police say that they will do whatever is necessary to maintain law and order.

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, Google will use these handsets to maintain premium pricing across the smartphone market, promote an increase in specifications at each price point, and bring more users into Google’s vision and implementation of artificial intelligence. —Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Aug. 2025

The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. —Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025

This innovative expression offers an enhanced flavor while maintaining the smooth, approachable profile that defines Sazerac Rye. Sazerac Rye Whiskey is known for its spicy, peppery, and dry profile. —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 2 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mainteinen, from Anglo-French maintenir, maynteiner, from Medieval Latin manutenēre, from Latin manu tenēre to hold in the hand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing maintain

• maintain life
• maintain one's cool/composure
• maintain the status quo

Rhymes for maintain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

maintain

verb

main·​tain mān-ˈtān 

mən-

1

: to keep in an existing state

especially : to keep in good condition

maintain one's health

maintain machinery

2

: to defend by argument

maintain a position

3

: to continue in : carry on, keep up

maintain your balance

maintain a correspondence

4

: to provide for : support

maintain my family by working

5

: to insist to be true

maintained that all men are equal

maintainable

-ˈtā-nə-bəl 

adjective

maintainer noun