verb
sustain
suh-STAYN
verb
1
To keep something going or in existence over time.
"The engine can't sustain that speed for long."
"Good soil helps sustain healthy crops."
2
To suffer or experience something harmful, especially an injury.
"She sustained a broken wrist in the fall."
3
To support or provide for someone, especially by giving food or strength.
"A small amount of food sustained them through the journey."
How to Use Sustain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep something going, to suffer an injury, or to support and nourish someone.
Common pairings
sustain an injury
sustain growth
sustain life
Word Forms
sustained past tense, sustains singular
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Etymology
From Old French sustenir, from Latin sustineo, "to uphold" — from sub- ("from below") plus teneo ("to hold").