noun

maintenance

MAYN-tuh-nunss

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."

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."

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."

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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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

Antonyms

neglect disrepair

Related words

change care service deal miss attention respect forget

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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change care service deal miss attention respect forget