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
Examples of maintenance in a Sentence
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
The Lego Cherry Blossoms are a colorful way to brighten up any space—with zero maintenance.
—Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 5 Feb. 2025
But for car owners who want to take charge of their own vehicle maintenance, checking and replacing the filter is a simple and cost-effective way to keep the air inside the car clean and fresh.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
However, Grammer admits she wasn’t educated on the long-term maintenance the trend required and has since undergone three breast implant surgeries, which included some repercussions.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
The problem, at least in part, is a lack of sailors; ships routinely go to sea without a full crew, and the tasks of maintenance and repairs often go undone.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for maintenance 
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Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 5 Feb. 2025
But for car owners who want to take charge of their own vehicle maintenance, checking and replacing the filter is a simple and cost-effective way to keep the air inside the car clean and fresh.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
However, Grammer admits she wasn’t educated on the long-term maintenance the trend required and has since undergone three breast implant surgeries, which included some repercussions.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025
The problem, at least in part, is a lack of sailors; ships routinely go to sea without a full crew, and the tasks of maintenance and repairs often go undone.
—Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for maintenance
Dictionary Entries Near maintenance
Cite this Entry
“Maintenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maintenance. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
maintenance
noun
main·te·nance
ˈmānt-nən(t)s
-ᵊn-ən(t)s
1
: the act of maintaining : the state of being maintained
maintenance of law and order
money for the family's maintenance
2
: something that maintains
3
: the care of property or equipment
workers in charge of maintenance
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
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