maintain

B1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /meɪnˈteɪn/ See IPA manual

Freq #3828

Meanings

1

verb
To keep something in the same state; to continue or preserve it.

It is important to maintain a healthy diet throughout your life.
2

verb
To keep something in good condition by looking after it and repairing it.

The company spends a lot of money to maintain its old machines.
3

verb
To strongly state that something is true; to insist.

He maintained his innocence even after the trial ended.
4

verb
To provide money or support so that someone or something can continue to exist.

His salary was barely enough to maintain his large family.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

3 verb · to strongly state that... assert defend

4 verb · to provide money or support... support

Opposites

abandon

Word family

Forms maintainedmaintainingmaintains

Derived forms maingainmaingainingmaintainabilitymaintainablemaintainmentmismaintainundermaintain

Appears in

Phrases (4)

See all

maintain contact
To keep in regular communication with someone

Verb + noun
maintain control
to keep authority or command over a situation despite pressure or challenges

Verb + noun
maintain health
to keep one's health in good condition over time

Verb + noun
maintain a relationship
To keep a relationship stable and ongoing despite pressures

Verb + noun

Etymology

From Middle English mayntenen, from Old French maintenir, from Late Latin manūteneō, manūtenēre (“I support”), from Latin manū (“with/in/by the hand”, ablative of manus) + tenēre (“to hold”).

*ten- Proto-Indo-European mayntenen Middle English maintenir Old French manuteneo la-lat manū Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# maintain

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /meɪnˈteɪn/
**Frequency rank:** 3828

## Meanings
1. To keep something in the same state; to continue or preserve it.
2. To keep something in good condition by looking after it and repairing it.
3. To strongly state that something is true; to insist.
4. To provide money or support so that someone or something can continue to exist.

## Examples
- It is important to maintain a healthy diet throughout your life.
- The company spends a lot of money to maintain its old machines.
- He maintained his innocence even after the trial ended.
- His salary was barely enough to maintain his large family.

## Antonyms
- abandon

## Derived Forms
- maingain
- maingaining
- maintainability
- maintainable
- maintainment
- mismaintain
- undermaintain

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *ten-
- Root: mayntenen
- Root: maintenir
- Root: manuteneo
- Root: manū

## Etymology
From Middle English mayntenen, from Old French maintenir, from Late Latin manūteneō, manūtenēre (“I support”), from Latin manū (“with/in/by the hand”, ablative of manus) + tenēre (“to hold”).

## AI Etymology
Maintain comes from Middle English mayntenen, from Old French maintenir, from Late Latin manūteneō, manūtenēre (“I support”), from Latin manū (“with/in/by the hand”, ablative of manus) + tenēre (“to hold”). In present-day English its meanings include to keep something in the same state; to continue or preserve it, to keep something in good condition by looking after it and repairing it, and to strongly state that something is true; to insist. The historical chain runs through *ten- (Proto-Indo-European), mayntenen (Middle English), maintenir (Old French), manuteneo (Late Latin), and manū (Latin). Related and derived forms include maingain, maingaining, and maintainability.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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