1
: the act of maintaining in good condition : the state of being maintained in good condition
2
: the cost of maintaining in good condition
Examples of upkeep in a Sentence
Who is responsible for the upkeep of these buildings?
Once your car gets that old, the cost of upkeep can get very expensive.
The yard requires very little upkeep.
We sold our horse because we could no longer afford its upkeep.
Recent Examples on the Web
If you’re inspired, check out our 42 ideas for bobs and lobs for spring 2025; just be prepared for a bit of upkeep.
—
Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2025
Large lawns are being replaced with native plants, ornamental grasses, and drought-tolerant ground covers that require less upkeep and H20.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
But after India gained independence from Britain in 1947, many of Sidhpur’s residents migrated overseas, or to larger Indian cities like Mumbai and Ahmedabad, leaving the houses’ upkeep to caretakers or relatives.
—Kalpana Sunder, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Instead of putting wielders of influence at the story’s center, he’s refocused his attention — and therefore ours — to the people who labor in the background tasked with the upkeep and cleaning of the building itself.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upkeep
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Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2025
Large lawns are being replaced with native plants, ornamental grasses, and drought-tolerant ground covers that require less upkeep and H20.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
But after India gained independence from Britain in 1947, many of Sidhpur’s residents migrated overseas, or to larger Indian cities like Mumbai and Ahmedabad, leaving the houses’ upkeep to caretakers or relatives.
—Kalpana Sunder, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Instead of putting wielders of influence at the story’s center, he’s refocused his attention — and therefore ours — to the people who labor in the background tasked with the upkeep and cleaning of the building itself.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upkeep
Cite this Entry
“Upkeep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upkeep. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upkeep
noun
up·keep
ˈəp-ˌkēp 
: the act or cost of maintaining in good condition : maintenance
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