keep
1 of 2verb
ˈkēp 
kept ˈkept ; keeping
; keeping transitive verb
1
a
: to retain in one's possession or power
kept the money we found
b
: to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing
kept the news back
c
: to have in control
keep your temper
2
: to take notice of by appropriate conduct : fulfill: such as
a
: to be faithful to
keep a promise
b
: to act fittingly in relation to
keep the Sabbath
c
: to conform to in habits or conduct
keep late hours
d
: to stay in accord with (a beat)
keep time
3
: preserve, maintain: such as
a
: to watch over and defend
keep us from harm
b(1)
: to take care of : tend
keep a garden
(2)
: support
(3)
: to maintain in a good, fitting, or orderly condition —usually used with up
c
: to continue to maintain
keep watch
d(1)
: to cause to remain in a given place, situation, or condition
keep him waiting
(2)
: to preserve (food) in an unspoiled condition
e(1)
: to have or maintain in an established position or relationship
keep a mistress
—often used with on kept the cook on
(2)
: to lodge or feed for pay
keep boarders
f(1)
: to maintain a record in
keep a diary
(2)
: to enter in a book
keep records
g
: to have customarily in stock for sale
4
a
: to restrain from departure or removal : detain
keep children after school
b
: hold back, restrain
keep them from going
kept him back with difficulty
c
: save, reserve
keep some for later
kept some out for a friend
d
: to refrain from revealing
keep a secret
5
: to confine oneself to
keep my room
6
a
: to stay or continue in
keep the path
keep your seat
b
: to stay or remain on or in usually against opposition : hold
kept her ground
7
: conduct, manage
keep a tearoom
intransitive verb
1
a
: to maintain a course, direction, or progress
keep to the right
b
: to continue usually without interruption
keep talking
keep quiet
keep on smiling
c
: to persist in a practice
kept bothering them
kept on smoking in spite of warnings
2
: stay, remain
keep out of the way
keep off the grass
: such as a
: to stay even —usually used with up
keep up with the Joneses
b
: to remain in good condition
meat will keep in the freezer
c
: to remain secret
the secret would keep
d
: to call for no immediate action
the matter will keep until morning
3
: abstain, refrain
can't keep from talking
4
: to be in session
school will keep through the winter—
W. M. Thayer
W. M. Thayer5
of a quarterback : to retain possession of a football especially after faking a handoff
6
chiefly British : live, lodge
keep
2 of 2noun
1
: the means or provisions by which one is kept
earned his keep
2
: one that keeps or protects: such as
a
: fortress, castle
specifically : the strongest and securest part of a medieval castle
b
: one whose job is to keep or tend
c
: prison, jail
3
: keeper sense 5
4
a
: maintenance
b
archaic : custody, charge
Synonyms
Verb
- celebrate
- commemorate
- observe
Noun
- care and feeding
- conservation
- conserving
- maintenance
- preservation
- preserving
- sustentation
- upkeep
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb She's going to keep the money she found. I can't decide whether to sell my old car or keep it for another year. While the company laid off some employees, others had hopes of keeping their jobs. “The fare is $4.” “Here's $5. Keep the change.” I asked them to keep quiet. The program teaches kids how to keep safe near water. I tried to keep the children quiet during the ceremony. The local newspaper keeps people informed about what's happening in town. The article offers tips on how to keep kids safe near water. The movie will keep you on the edge of your seat. Noun the keep of the stable is mainly left to the two equine-loving daughters See More
Recent Examples on the WebEtan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2023 But as the numbers demonstrate, international markets still stepped up to keep things interesting and to ensure the race between James Cameron’s two epic blockbusters provides plenty of its own fun and scorekeeping. —Mark Hughes, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2023 To keep your feet comfy and supported on your adventures, consider these breathable sneakers that are still a stylish addition to your outfit. —Sarah Byron, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2023 Just to keep that mind-set and focus on the next one. —Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 11 Feb. 2023 The skin is the body's largest organ, and the microbiome is a supportive top layer made up of one trillion microorganisms that help keep the skin healthy and protected. —Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 11 Feb. 2023 However, with a little maintenance (one, maybe two, fertilizer applications a year) and some irrigation in the summer, your lawn can maintain its health enough to keep its density and drastically reduce weed encroachment. —oregonlive, 11 Feb. 2023 Teachers and mentors also need to be trained to perceive the barriers that keep underrepresented students out of STEM fields — and to shift the paradigm toward inclusion. —Paula A. Johnson, STAT, 10 Feb. 2023 These hiking boots keep the water out and the heat locked in. —Megan Lasher, Men's Health, 10 Feb. 2023 Elissa Sanci, Woman's Day, 16 Sep. 2022 My favorites go above and beyond with apparent hacks to the original source code, and Digital Eclipse earns its keep with these features. —Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 29 Aug. 2022 Yet even as the climax distracts and detracts from a thoughtful, intimate book, the novel earns its keep because Perrotta has reclaimed Tracy Flick from the movie version. —Stuart Miller, BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2022 As a result, our tendency to put a high value on recent figures can lead us to believe that management has a shot at earning its keep. —Scott Burns, Dallas News, 19 June 2022 Who better to lead Auburn out of the dark than one of its own, a beloved program legend who has earned his keep in the coaching business? —Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 8 Nov. 2022 Otto says that multiple spies spotted the princess leaving the keep, disguised as a page. —Omar L. Gallaga, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2022 After getting another shot as an emergency COVID replacement player, though, the 6-6, 242-pounder had some success with the Lakers — especially against the Jazz — playing as a four and small-ball five and earning his keep on defense. —Eric Walden, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 To earn its keep on the menu, the Poo Driver had to be a banger. —Shaina Loew-banayan, Bon Appétit, 19 Sep. 2022 See More
Verb
That has Gaspare joining with the second mate/navigator to take down the ship’s corrupt captain, keep its innocent passengers safe and liberate its captives. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2023 But as the numbers demonstrate, international markets still stepped up to keep things interesting and to ensure the race between James Cameron’s two epic blockbusters provides plenty of its own fun and scorekeeping. —Mark Hughes, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2023 To keep your feet comfy and supported on your adventures, consider these breathable sneakers that are still a stylish addition to your outfit. —Sarah Byron, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2023 Just to keep that mind-set and focus on the next one. —Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 11 Feb. 2023 The skin is the body's largest organ, and the microbiome is a supportive top layer made up of one trillion microorganisms that help keep the skin healthy and protected. —Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 11 Feb. 2023 However, with a little maintenance (one, maybe two, fertilizer applications a year) and some irrigation in the summer, your lawn can maintain its health enough to keep its density and drastically reduce weed encroachment. —oregonlive, 11 Feb. 2023 Teachers and mentors also need to be trained to perceive the barriers that keep underrepresented students out of STEM fields — and to shift the paradigm toward inclusion. —Paula A. Johnson, STAT, 10 Feb. 2023 These hiking boots keep the water out and the heat locked in. —Megan Lasher, Men's Health, 10 Feb. 2023 Noun
Talk about a travel wardrobe staple that really earns its keep. —Elissa Sanci, Woman's Day, 16 Sep. 2022 My favorites go above and beyond with apparent hacks to the original source code, and Digital Eclipse earns its keep with these features. —Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 29 Aug. 2022 Yet even as the climax distracts and detracts from a thoughtful, intimate book, the novel earns its keep because Perrotta has reclaimed Tracy Flick from the movie version. —Stuart Miller, BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2022 As a result, our tendency to put a high value on recent figures can lead us to believe that management has a shot at earning its keep. —Scott Burns, Dallas News, 19 June 2022 Who better to lead Auburn out of the dark than one of its own, a beloved program legend who has earned his keep in the coaching business? —Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 8 Nov. 2022 Otto says that multiple spies spotted the princess leaving the keep, disguised as a page. —Omar L. Gallaga, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2022 After getting another shot as an emergency COVID replacement player, though, the 6-6, 242-pounder had some success with the Lakers — especially against the Jazz — playing as a four and small-ball five and earning his keep on defense. —Eric Walden, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Sep. 2022 To earn its keep on the menu, the Poo Driver had to be a banger. —Shaina Loew-banayan, Bon Appétit, 19 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English kepen, from Old English cēpan; perhaps akin to Old High German chapfēn to look
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2
Noun
1579, in the meaning defined at sense 4b
Phrases Containing keep
Kids Definition
keep
1 of 2 verb ˈkēp
kept ˈkept ; keeping
; keeping 1
a
: to be faithful to : fulfill
keep a promise
b
: to act properly in relation to
keep the Sabbath
2
a
: protect
keep us from harm
b
: to take care of : tend
keep a garden
3
: to continue doing something : maintain
keep silence
keep on working
keep that up and you'll get into trouble
4
: to have in one's service or at one's disposal
keep a car
5
: to preserve a record in
keep a diary
6
: to have on hand regularly for sale
keep neckties
7
: to continue to have in one's possession or power
kept the marbles I won
8
a
: to prevent from leaving : detain
keep a person in jail
was kept after school
b
: to place for storage
keeps the catsup in the refrigerator
keep my socks in a drawer
9
: to hold back
keep a secret
10
a
: to remain or cause to remain in a place, situation, or condition
keep off the grass
keep him waiting
b
: to continue in an unspoiled condition
food that keeps well
11
: refrain entry 1
keep from talking
12
: to take charge of (as a business) : manage
kept an inn
keep
2 of 2 noun1
: the strongest part of a castle in the Middle Ages
2
: the necessities of life
earn one's keep
keepers
noun
1
as in custodians
a person or group that watches over someone or something how should I know where she is? I'm not her keeper Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- custodians
- guardians
- wardens
- guards
- sentinels
- defenders
- warders
- watchers
- watchmen
- sentries
- bodyguards
- observers
- minders
- watches
- patrols
- pickets
- lookouts
- spotters
- gatekeepers
- watchdogs
- escorts
- surveillants
- convoys
- honor guards
- hacks
2
as in wardens
a person who takes care of a property sometimes for an absent owner during the winter the keeper of the family's beach house is a local resident who looks after the place Synonyms & Similar Words
- custodians
- wardens
- caretakers
- janitors
- guardians
- stewards
- watchmen
- curators
- sextons
- co-curators
- cocurators