maintenance
noun
main·te·nance ˈmānt-nən(t)s 
ˈmān-tə-nən(t)s
1
: the act of maintaining : the state of being maintained : support
The building has suffered from years of poor maintenance.
2
: something that maintains
at least half of them are living parasitically on the other half instead of producing maintenance for themselves
G. B. Shaw
G. B. Shaw3
: the upkeep of property or equipment
the maintenance of the school
4
: an officious or unlawful intermeddling in a legal suit by assisting either party with means to carry it on
Synonyms
- care and feeding
- conservation
- conserving
- keep
- preservation
- preserving
- sustentation
- upkeep
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Soon he could take an Underwood apart and put it together blindfolded, a trick that won him the account for maintenance of all the typewriters at Columbia-Presbyterian hospital … Ian Frazier, Atlantic, November 1997 The building has suffered from years of poor maintenance. the costs of routine car maintenance maintenance of law and order money for the family's maintenance
Ian Frazier, Atlantic, November 1997 The building has suffered from years of poor maintenance. the costs of routine car maintenance maintenance of law and order money for the family's maintenance Recent Examples on the Web Recently, our condominium’s board announced that our maintenance dues would go up next year. Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 These are all low maintenance, and have adjusted to valley conditions over centuries. oregonlive, 10 Sep. 2022 However, there are a few caveats that come with using a loofah—the first being maintenance. Jamie Wilson, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 Project representatives assured the committee that there would be on-going maintenance on the planters to ensure there would be no staining on the sidewalks. Megan Sims, cleveland, 9 Aug. 2022 DJ Shai's icy gray buzz cut is low-maintenance on the styling tip, but lends some high contrast to her overall look, thanks to its super light color. Wendy Sy, Allure, 28 July 2022 The classic shag haircut which immediately conjures up Stevie Knicks vibes is very rock 'n' roll, with a casual appearance that is fuss-free and low maintenance. Abby Dupes, Seventeen, 25 July 2022 This e-bike is low-maintenance for those looking for an easygoing single-speed ride with rim brakes, though the Soltera is also available in a 7-speed style with disc brakes. Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 23 July 2022 Another concern among residents of Moose Pass is maintenance. Riley Board, Anchorage Daily News, 18 July 2022 See More
Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 These are all low maintenance, and have adjusted to valley conditions over centuries. oregonlive, 10 Sep. 2022 However, there are a few caveats that come with using a loofah—the first being maintenance. Jamie Wilson, Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Aug. 2022 Project representatives assured the committee that there would be on-going maintenance on the planters to ensure there would be no staining on the sidewalks. Megan Sims, cleveland, 9 Aug. 2022 DJ Shai's icy gray buzz cut is low-maintenance on the styling tip, but lends some high contrast to her overall look, thanks to its super light color. Wendy Sy, Allure, 28 July 2022 The classic shag haircut which immediately conjures up Stevie Knicks vibes is very rock 'n' roll, with a casual appearance that is fuss-free and low maintenance. Abby Dupes, Seventeen, 25 July 2022 This e-bike is low-maintenance for those looking for an easygoing single-speed ride with rim brakes, though the Soltera is also available in a 7-speed style with disc brakes. Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 23 July 2022 Another concern among residents of Moose Pass is maintenance. Riley Board, Anchorage Daily News, 18 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from maintenir — see maintain
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing maintenance
Kids Definition
maintenance
noun
main·te·nance ˈmān-tə-nəns
1
: the act of keeping or providing for : the state of being kept or provided for
One of government's jobs is the maintenance of law and order.
We collected money for the family's maintenance.
2
: upkeep
Workers in charge of maintenance painted the building.
Medical Definition
maintenance
adjective
main·te·nance ˈmānt-nən(t)s, -ᵊn-ən(t)s
: designed or adequate to maintain a patient in a stable condition : serving to maintain a gradual process of healing or to prevent a relapse
a maintenance dose
maintenance chemotherapy
Legal Definition
maintenance
noun
main·te·nance
1
a
: the act of providing basic and necessary support
b
: the state of having such support
2
: a financial means of providing necessary assistance: as
a
: alimony
b
: support
3
: the necessities of life provided for by payment of maintenance
4
: the upkeep of property or equipment
5
: unsought and unnecessary meddling in a lawsuit by assisting either party with means to carry it on compare champerty
maintenance
noun
as in preservation
the act or activity of keeping something in an existing and usually satisfactory condition I was hired to perform basic maintenance until the property could be sold Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- preservation
- preserving
- upkeep
- conservation
- keep
- conserving
- sustentation
- sustaining
- support
- care and feeding
- conservancy
- protection
- custody
- guardianship
- defense
- safeguarding
- safekeeping
- care
- guarding
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- neglect
- negligence
- disregard
- ignoring
- destruction
- damage
- injury
- demolition
- inattention
- harm
- dereliction
- ruin
- hurt
- ruination