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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | maintenir, from Latin manu tenere 'to hold in the hand' |
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main‧tain S3 W2
[transitive]
[transitive]1 to make something continue in the same way or at the same standard as before : Careers Officers maintain contact with young people when they have left school. Britain wants to maintain its position as a world power. A lot depends on building and maintaining a good relationship with your customers. The hotel prides itself on maintaining high standards. How can we maintain control of spending?
make something continue
Careers Officers maintain contact with young people when they have left school.Britain wants to maintain its position as a world power.A lot depends on building and maintaining a good relationship with your customers.The hotel prides itself on maintaining high standards.How can we maintain control of spending?2 to make a level or rate of activity, movement etc stay the same : It is important to maintain a constant temperature inside the greenhouse. This is the most efficient way to build up and maintain a reasonable level of physical fitness.
level/rate
It is important to maintain a constant temperature inside the greenhouse.This is the most efficient way to build up and maintain a reasonable level of physical fitness.3 to strongly express your belief that something is true [= claim]
say
maintain (that) Critics maintain that these reforms will lead to a decline in educational standards.
Critics maintain that these reforms will lead to a decline in educational standards. maintain your innocence (=say that you did not commit a crime) He maintained his innocence and said the allegations were 'ridiculous'.
He maintained his innocence and said the allegations were 'ridiculous'.4 to keep a machine, building etc in good condition by checking and repairing it regularly : The report found that safety equipment had been very poorly maintained. The company is responsible for maintaining public telephone boxes.
look after something
The report found that safety equipment had been very poorly maintained.The company is responsible for maintaining public telephone boxes.5 to provide someone with the things they need, such as money or food [= provide for]: How can you maintain a family on $900 a month?
provide money/food
How can you maintain a family on $900 a month?