maintain

The word “maintain” means to keep something in its current, good condition over time. In plain terms, to keep something going or in good shape, or to keep insisting something is true.

“Maintain” is pronounced mayn-TAYN (/meɪnˈteɪn/ in IPA).

Here is “maintain” used in a sentence: “Regular servicing helps maintain the engine.”

The opposite of “maintain” — its antonyms — is abandon.

“Maintain” is a verb.

The word “maintain” comes from Latin. From Old French maintenir, from Latin manu tenere, literally "to hold in the hand.".

“Maintain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Maintain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to keep something in its current, good condition over time.

Maintaining means caring for something regularly so it stays in good condition and problems are prevented — like servicing a car or cleaning gutters. Repairing means fixing something after it has already broken or worn out. Good maintenance reduces how often repairs are needed, but the two work hand in hand.

To maintain is to keep something in its current good condition, such as maintaining a building or a routine. To sustain is to keep something going or provide what it needs to continue, such as sustaining life or effort over time. Maintain stresses condition; sustain stresses ongoing support and endurance.

Yes. Besides keeping something in good condition, maintain can mean to firmly assert or insist on something — as in 'she maintained that she was innocent.' It can also mean to continue something without change, such as maintaining speed or maintaining contact. The intended sense usually depends on the surrounding words.

Regularly servicing a car so it keeps running well is a clear example of maintaining it. Others include watering and weeding a garden, updating software to keep it secure, or exercising to maintain good health. In each case, ongoing effort preserves something's condition rather than letting it decline.