maintained; maintaining; maintains
1
: to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline
maintain machinery
2
: to sustain against opposition or danger : uphold and defend
maintain a position
4
a
: to support or provide for
has a family to maintain
b
: sustain
enough food to maintain life
5
: to affirm in or as if in argument : assert
maintained that the earth is flat
Examples of maintain in a Sentence
They have always maintained high standards of professional conduct.
He has found it difficult to maintain a healthy weight.
The company has done a poor job of maintaining its computer network.
It was obvious that the house had been poorly maintained.
She was finding it hard to maintain her balance.
She still maintains a close relationship with her college roommate.
It's difficult to maintain a correspondence when we're both so busy.
The pilot was struggling to maintain control of the aircraft.
The police say that they will do whatever is necessary to maintain law and order.
Recent Examples on the Web
Regularly maintaining your granite countertops is crucial to prevent stains, scratches, and dullness.
—
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Beyond the shock factor, Crow hopes her video inspires others with old jetted tubs to check theirs, and encourages empathy for people maintaining older homes.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
This, plus the ongoing calls among family members, maintains a powerful sense of human connection and love.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Kump said his priorities include ensuring KCKCC is protected to maintain access to quality, affordable education and looking to expand the school to a Leavenworth campus and reducing the tax burden on Wyandotte County residents.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maintain
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Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
Beyond the shock factor, Crow hopes her video inspires others with old jetted tubs to check theirs, and encourages empathy for people maintaining older homes.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
This, plus the ongoing calls among family members, maintains a powerful sense of human connection and love.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Kump said his priorities include ensuring KCKCC is protected to maintain access to quality, affordable education and looking to expand the school to a Leavenworth campus and reducing the tax burden on Wyandotte County residents.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for maintain
Cite this Entry
“Maintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maintain. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
maintain
verb
main·tain
mān-ˈtān 
mən-
1
: to keep in an existing state
especially
: to keep in good condition
maintain one's health
maintain machinery
2
: to defend by argument
maintain a position
4
: to provide for : support
maintain my family by working
5
: to insist to be true
maintained that all men are equal
maintainer
noun
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