keep

Meanings

• the financial means whereby one lives
  • "each child was expected to pay for their keep"
• the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
• a cell in a jail or prison
• keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
  • "keep clean"
  • "The students keep me on my toes"
• continue a certain state, condition, or activity
  • "Keep on working!"
  • "Keep smiling"
• retain possession of
  • "Can I keep my old stuffed animals?"
• stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state
  • "Keep the child from eating the marbles"
• conform one's action or practice to
  • "keep appointments"
  • "she never keeps her promises"
• stick to correctly or closely
  • "keep count"
  • "I cannot keep track of all my employees"
• look after; be the keeper of; have charge of
  • "He keeps the shop when I am gone"
• maintain by writing regular records
  • "keep a diary"
  • "keep notes"
• supply with room and board
  • "He is keeping three women in the guest cottage"
  • "keep boarders"
• allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature
  • "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"
  • "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"
• supply with necessities and support
  • "There's little to earn and many to keep"
• fail to spoil or rot
  • "These potatoes keep for a long time"
• behave as expected during of holidays or rites
  • "Keep the commandments"
• keep under control; keep in check
  • "Keep your temper"
  • "keep your cool"
• maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger
  • "May God keep you"
• raise
  • "She keeps a few chickens in the yard"
  • "he keeps bees"
• retain rights to
  • "keep my job for me while I give birth"
  • "keep my seat, please"
  • "keep open the possibility of a merger"
• store or keep customarily
  • "Where do you keep your gardening tools?"
• have as a supply
  • "I always keep batteries in the freezer"
  • "keep food for a week in the pantry"
  • "She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator"
• maintain for use and service
  • "I keep a car in the countryside"
  • "She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips"
• hold and prevent from leaving
• prevent (food) from rotting
  • "keep potatoes fresh"

Synonyms

bread and butter, celebrate, continue, donjon, dungeon, go along, go on, hold, hold back, hold on, hold open, keep back, keep on, keep open, livelihood, living, maintain, observe, preserve, prevent, proceed, restrain, retain, save, stay fresh, support, sustain, sustenance