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
European Wax Center continues to focus on maintaining its brand position and ensuring consistent service delivery across its network of centers.
—
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
In the Senate, Democrats are similarly one seat away from a supermajority: Democrats and Republicans each flipped one seat last week to maintain the 23-12 status quo in the chamber.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Upset at California’s gasoline prices (around $1.50 a gallon above the national average), Newsom blamed corporate greed and signed a law that forces oil companies to maintain larger reserves – a costly regulation that might increase prices further.
—Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 15 Nov. 2024
More coverage: ➡️ Republicans will maintain control of the House of Representatives by the thinnest of margins, handing Trump and his party all the levers of power in Washington.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maintain 
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Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
In the Senate, Democrats are similarly one seat away from a supermajority: Democrats and Republicans each flipped one seat last week to maintain the 23-12 status quo in the chamber.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
Upset at California’s gasoline prices (around $1.50 a gallon above the national average), Newsom blamed corporate greed and signed a law that forces oil companies to maintain larger reserves – a costly regulation that might increase prices further.
—Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 15 Nov. 2024
More coverage: ➡️ Republicans will maintain control of the House of Representatives by the thinnest of margins, handing Trump and his party all the levers of power in Washington.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for maintain
Dictionary Entries Near maintain
Cite this Entry
“Maintain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maintain. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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