- maintain
- maintain main‧tain [meɪnˈteɪn, mən-] verb [transitive]1. to make something continue in the same way or at the same high standard as before:
• It is impossible to maintain exports at past levels.
• To maintain sales growth, the company plans to unveil a new line of bicycles.
2. to keep something such as a building or machine in good condition by taking care of it:• They maintain the computer and telephone equipment in the building.
3. to provide someone with money, food, and the other things they need:• the ever-increasing cost of maintaining children
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maintain UK US /meɪnˈteɪn/ verb [T]► to make something continue in the same way or at the same level: »Maintaining a company's brand and reputation requires a lot of hard work.
»Charities need only give 5% of proceeds each year to maintain a tax exemption.
»We have been able to maintain prices for our customers at their current level.
»The college has maintained links with similar institutions in other parts of the country.
► to keep a building, machine, road, etc. in good condition by checking it regularly and repairing it if necessary: »The premises are clean and well maintained.
»Communication is made difficult by the poorly maintained road network.
»The commission operates and maintains 20 river bridges.
► FINANCE to make regular payments in order to support someone financially or to keep something that you already own: »More and more people are struggling to afford the cost of maintaining a home.
► to say firmly that something is true: maintain (that) »Senior accountants at the firm maintained they knew nothing of the transactions.
Financial and business terms. 2012.