Maintain Definition
maintain
verb
- keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean"; "hold in place"; "She always held herself as a lady"; "The students keep me on my toes"
- keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction; "We preserve these archeological findings"; "The old lady could not keep up the building"; "children must be taught to conserve our national heritage"; "The museum curator conserved the ancient manuscripts"
- supply with necessities and support; "She alone sustained her family"; "The money will sustain our good cause"; "There's little to earn and many to keep"
- state categorically
- have and exercise; "wield power and authority"
- maintain for use and service; "I keep a car in the countryside"; "She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips"
- maintain by writing regular records; "keep a diary"; "maintain a record"; "keep notes"
- state or assert; "He maintained his innocence"
- support against an opponent; "The appellate court upheld the verdict"
- stick to correctly or closely; "The pianist kept time with the metronome"; "keep count"; "I cannot keep track of all my employees"
"Maintain" in song lyrics
See how maintain is used in real songs:
-
"You lost all hope, but just maintain"
The 49ers f/ Midnight Bully — Regain Control -
"Everybody doing the same thang, trying to maintain"
50/50 Twin — Luv My Block -
"Don't suffer you got to maintain"
Aceyalone — The Hold
Words that rhyme with maintain
Usage tips for "maintain"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "maintain" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for maintain to find words that pair well.