1
: the act of maintaining in good condition : the state of being maintained in good condition
2
: the cost of maintaining in good condition
Examples of upkeep in a Sentence
Who is responsible for the upkeep of these buildings?
Once your car gets that old, the cost of upkeep can get very expensive.
The yard requires very little upkeep.
We sold our horse because we could no longer afford its upkeep.
Recent Examples on the Web
Warm blonds, specifically, are poised to be a favorite, particularly the shades that require minimum upkeep.
—
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
This tropical looking broadleaf evergreen has a dense, clumping habit that requires little upkeep.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Now, there are three lawsuits against the current property owner and all others who were involved in the upkeep in the balcony in October.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
While the first floor is buzzy, with a restaurant to your left, bar right ahead, and café to the right—the layout and design upkeeps the hotel’s overall swanky and cool nature.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upkeep
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Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
This tropical looking broadleaf evergreen has a dense, clumping habit that requires little upkeep.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Now, there are three lawsuits against the current property owner and all others who were involved in the upkeep in the balcony in October.
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Feb. 2026
While the first floor is buzzy, with a restaurant to your left, bar right ahead, and café to the right—the layout and design upkeeps the hotel’s overall swanky and cool nature.
—Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for upkeep
Cite this Entry
“Upkeep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upkeep. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
upkeep
noun
up·keep
ˈəp-ˌkēp 
: the act or cost of maintaining in good condition : maintenance
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