maintain maintain /meɪnˈteɪn/

verb

1. () Cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., keep clean'  ( maintain , hold , keep )
   cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., keep clean'
    Hold in place
   hold in place
    She always held herself as a lady
   She always held herself as a lady
    The students keep me on my toes
   The students keep me on my toes
   
2. () Keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction  ( conserve , keep up , preserve , maintain )
   keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction
    We preserve these archeological findings
   We preserve these archeological findings
    The old lady could not keep up the building
   The old lady could not keep up the building
    Children must be taught to conserve our national heritage
   children must be taught to conserve our national heritage
    The museum curator conserved the ancient manuscripts
   The museum curator conserved the ancient manuscripts
   
3. () Supply with necessities and support  ( sustain , keep , maintain )
   supply with necessities and support
    She alone sustained her family
   She alone sustained her family
    The money will sustain our good cause
   The money will sustain our good cause
    There's little to earn and many to keep
   There's little to earn and many to keep
   
4. () State categorically  ( asseverate , maintain , assert )
   state categorically
     The lawyer asserted her client's innocence in court.
   The lawyer asserted her client's innocence in court.
   
5. () Have and exercise  ( wield , maintain , exert )
   have and exercise
    Wield power and authority
   wield power and authority
   
6. Stick to correctly or closely  ( maintain , observe , keep )
   stick to correctly or closely
    The pianist kept time with the metronome
   The pianist kept time with the metronome
    Keep count
   keep count
    I cannot keep track of all my employees
   I cannot keep track of all my employees
   
7. Support against an opponent  ( maintain , uphold )
   support against an opponent
    The appellate court upheld the verdict
   The appellate court upheld the verdict
   
8. State or assert  ( defend , maintain )
   state or assert
    He maintained his innocence
   He maintained his innocence
   
9. Maintain by writing regular records  ( maintain , keep )
   maintain by writing regular records
    Keep a diary
   keep a diary
    Maintain a record
   maintain a record
    Keep notes
   keep notes
   
10. Maintain for use and service  ( keep , maintain )
    maintain for use and service
     I keep a car in the countryside
    I keep a car in the countryside
     She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
    She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips