noun B1 Intermediate Common

maintenance

MAYN-tuh-nunss

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Maintenance (noun) means the work of keeping a building, machine or system in good condition by checking, cleaning and repairing it regularly. Example: “The lift is out of service for routine maintenance.”

noun

The work of keeping a building, machine or system in good condition by checking, cleaning and repairing it regularly.

"The lift is out of service for routine maintenance."

"Half the budget goes on maintenance of the older properties."

"Regular maintenance of the boiler stops it breaking down in winter."

The act of keeping something going or holding it at a particular level.

"The drug is used for the maintenance of a steady heart rate."

"Maintenance of public confidence depends on the inquiry being open."

"The maintenance of order in the crowded hall was the guards' main task."

Money paid regularly by one person for the living costs of a former spouse or of a child they do not live with.

"He fell behind on maintenance payments for the children."

"She receives monthly maintenance to help pay for her daughter's schooling."

"The court set the maintenance he would pay to his former wife."

How to use maintenance

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLooking after something so it keeps working properly.

When to use it

Neutral; the money sense is chiefly British legal usage, where American English says alimony or child support.

Memory tip

"Low-maintenance" and "high-maintenance" describe people as well as things, meaning easy or demanding to keep happy.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

maintainance (misspelling) repair → servicing →

Common pairings

routine maintenance scheduled maintenance maintenance costs low maintenance maintenance payments

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “maintenance” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The lift is out of service for routine _____.

Etymology

From Old French maintenance, from maintenir "to maintain", ultimately from Latin manu tenere, "to hold in the hand".

Origin: French

Synonyms

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upkeep servicing repairs care preservation continuation upholding alimony child support sustentation sustenance sustainment

Antonyms

neglect disrepair

Related words

like care service deal miss wish forget treatment

Rhymes for maintenance

lance dance Nance seance chance nuance trance stance glance balance advance finance

See all rhymes for maintenance →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between maintenance and repair?

Maintenance is planned work done to stop things going wrong — servicing, cleaning, replacing parts on schedule. Repair happens after something has already failed. Good maintenance is what reduces the amount of repair needed.

What is the difference between preventive and corrective maintenance?

Preventive maintenance is carried out at set intervals regardless of condition, to head off failures. Corrective maintenance is triggered by a fault that has been found, and restores the equipment to working order.

How do you spell maintenance?

It is m-a-i-n-t-e-n-a-n-c-e. The common error is "maintainance", carried over from the verb "maintain" — but the noun drops the "i" in the second syllable.

What is the meaning of maintenance?

"maintenance" (noun) means the work of keeping a building, machine or system in good condition by checking, cleaning and repairing it regularly.

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