sustain
suh-STAYN
Sustain (verb) means to keep something going or in existence over time. Example: “It is hard to sustain a conversation when the phone signal keeps dropping.”
verb
1
To keep something going or in existence over time.
"It is hard to sustain a conversation when the phone signal keeps dropping."
"The engine can't sustain that speed for long."
"Good soil helps sustain healthy crops."
2
To suffer or experience something harmful, especially an injury.
"The driver sustained only minor bruises when the bike skidded on the wet road."
"Several players sustained injuries during the long, muddy match."
"She sustained a broken wrist in the fall."
3
To support or provide for someone, especially by giving food or strength.
"A hot bowl of soup was enough to sustain the walkers until evening."
"Bread and water sustained the hikers for another day on the trail."
"A small amount of food sustained them through the journey."
How to use sustain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep something going, to suffer an injury, or to support and nourish someone.
Common pairings
sustain an injury
sustain growth
sustain life
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- sustains
- Past tense
- sustained
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It is hard to _____ a conversation when the phone signal keeps dropping.
Etymology
From Old French sustenir, from Latin sustineo, "to uphold" — from sub- ("from below") plus teneo ("to hold").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sustain
See all rhymes for sustain →Frequently asked questions
What does “sustain” mean?
The word “sustain” means to keep something going or in existence over time. In plain terms, to keep something going, to suffer an injury, or to support and nourish someone.
How do you pronounce “sustain”?
“Sustain” is pronounced suh-STAYN (/səˈsteɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “sustain” in a sentence?
Here is “sustain” used in a sentence: “The engine can't sustain that speed for long.”
What part of speech is “sustain”?
“Sustain” is a verb.
Where does the word “sustain” come from?
The word “sustain” comes from Latin. From Old French sustenir, from Latin sustineo, "to uphold" — from sub- ("from below") plus teneo ("to hold").
Is “sustain” a common word?
“Sustain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “sustain” have?
“Sustain” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to keep something going or in existence over time.
What is the difference between sustain and maintain?
Both mean to keep something going, but sustain emphasizes supporting something over time so it does not fail or weaken, as in sustaining life or energy. Maintain emphasizes keeping something in its existing condition or working order, as in maintaining a car.
Why do people say they 'sustained' an injury?
One meaning of sustain is to suffer or experience something harmful, so "sustained an injury" is a formal way of saying someone was hurt. This use is especially common in news reports and medical writing.
What is the difference between sustain and endure?
Sustain can mean to suffer or experience harm and usually takes that harm as its object, as in to sustain a loss. Endure means to bear or put up with hardship, focusing on a person's ability to withstand it rather than on receiving the blow.
What is the difference between sustain and support?
In the sense of providing for someone, sustain and support overlap, since sustain can mean to keep a person going with food or strength. Support is broader and includes emotional and financial help, while sustain stresses keeping someone or something alive or active.
