keep

/kˈip/ · 1 syllable

Meaning

verb

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., `keep clean'
“hold in place”
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
“Keep on working!”
retain possession of
“Can I keep my old stuffed animals?”
stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state
“We must prevent the cancer from spreading”
conform one's action or practice to
“keep appointments”
stick to correctly or closely
“The pianist kept time with the metronome”
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”
supply with room and board
“He is keeping three women in the guest cottage”
allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property or feature
“We cannot continue several servants any longer”
supply with necessities and support
“She alone sustained her family”
fail to spoil or rot
“These potatoes keep for a long time”

noun

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

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