verb
maintain
mayn-TAYN
verb
1
To keep something in its current, good condition over time.
"Regular servicing helps maintain the engine."
"They worked hard to maintain their friendship despite living abroad."
2
To insist that something is true.
"He maintained his innocence throughout the trial."
How to Use Maintain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep something going or in good shape, or to keep insisting something is true.
Common pairings
maintain a relationship
maintain innocence
maintain standards
hard to maintain
Word Forms
maintained past tense, maintains singular
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Regular servicing helps _____ the engine.
Etymology
From Old French maintenir, from Latin manu tenere, literally "to hold in the hand."