What does “maintain” mean?
- 1
verbto keep something at the same level or in the same state
It’s hard to maintain a healthy weight.
- 2
verbto keep something in good condition by checking and repairing it
The city maintains the parks well.
- 3
verbto say firmly that something is true
He maintains that he is innocent.
Maintain at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- B2 (upper intermediate)
- Pronunciation
- /meɪnˈteɪn/ · mayn-TAYN
How to use “maintain” correctly
The noun is spelled “maintenance”, not “maintainance”.
Common phrases with “maintain”
- maintain contact
- maintain a balance
- well maintained
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Word family
- maintenance
“maintain” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- establish verbB2to start a company, organization or system that will last a long time
- seek verbB2to try to find or get something
- affect verbB1to cause a change in someone or something
- appear verbB1to seem
- approach nounB2a way of dealing with something
- avoid verbB1to stay away from someone or something
- beat verbB1to win against someone in a game or competition
- cause verbB1to make something happen, usually something bad