Laxi Dictionary

English Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition maintain in British English

maintain verb

[transitive] verb
/meɪnˈteɪn/

▪ beautifully, immaculately, lovingly, poorly, properly

1

to make something stay the same

Example

Maintaining your current weight through exercise and healthy eating is important.

Example

It's sometimes hard to maintain the right balance between your work and your home life.

Example

the problem of maintaining social stability in a period of great economic change

Synonyms and related words
maintain withstand stabilize
1.1

to continue to communicate with someone and not allow a relationship to end

Example

Though now in government, he has maintained close contact with his former colleagues in the oil industry.

Synonyms and related words
hear from maintain correspond
1.2

to make sure that something stays at the same level, rate, or standard

Example

Some schools experienced difficulty in maintaining staffing levels.

Example

Regular inspections ensure that high safety standards are maintained.

Synonyms and related words
maintain withstand stabilize
2

to make regular repairs to a building, road, vehicle etc so that it stays in good condition

Example

a lovingly maintained houseboat

Synonyms and related words
darn do up fix
3

to continue to say that something is true, even if other people do not believe you

Example

The missile system, Bush maintains, will protect the US against so-called rogue states.

Example

The company still maintains that the drug is safe.

Example

She maintained her innocence throughout the trial.

Synonyms and related words
show prove point to
4

to provide someone with the money and other things that they need in order to live

Example

He was barely earning enough to maintain himself.

Synonyms and related words
disburse spend pay
Definition maintain in British English