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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Maintain: Meaning, Examples, and Common Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：keep unchanged (maintain)

maintain 🔊

/meɪnˈteɪn/

vt.

To keep something in the same state or condition, so it continues without change.

Maintain meaning: keeping things unchanged and stable at a tidy desk

keep unchanged 🔊

➕

/kiːp ʌnˈtʃeɪndʒd/

vt.

To cause something to remain in its current state or condition, preventing any alteration or deterioration.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Latin 'manu tenere' (hold in hand): manu- (hand) + tenere (to hold).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'man' (hand) + 'tain' (hold) – imagine holding something steady in your hand to keep it unchanged.

📖 Example

To stay healthy, it's important to maintain a balanced diet and exercise routine. 🔊 To stay healthy, it's important to maintain a balanced diet and exercise routine.

🔗 Collocations

maintain order – to keep discipline or stability in a place or situation

maintain a relationship – to keep a connection with someone by putting effort into it

maintain silence – to remain quiet or not speak

🔄 Synonyms

preserve (vt.) – to keep something in its original state or in good condition

sustain (vt.) – to cause something to continue over a period of time

keep (vt.) – to have or continue to have something in your possession or control

🚫 Antonyms

neglect (vt.) – to fail to take care of something properly

abandon (vt.) – to leave something completely and stop caring for it

change (v.) – to make or become different; alter

🌱 Derivatives

maintenance (n.) – the process of keeping something in good condition

maintainable (adj.) – able to be kept in good condition or kept going

maintainer (n.) – a person or thing that maintains something

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'manu tenere' meaning 'to hold in hand'. Entered Middle English via Anglo-French 'maintenir'. Originally used in legal contexts for keeping property or rights, later broadened to general preservation.

Meaning 2：keep in working order (maintain)

maintain 🔊

/meɪnˈteɪn/

vt.

To regularly check and fix something, like a machine or vehicle, to keep it working properly.

Maintain meaning: keeping a bicycle in working order with tools

keep in working order 🔊

➕

/kiːp ɪn ˈwɜːrkɪŋ ˈɔːrdər/

vt.

To perform regular checks and repairs on a machine, vehicle, or system to ensure it functions correctly and safely.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My dad maintains our family car every six months to ensure it's safe for road trips. 🔊 My dad maintains our family car every six months to ensure it's safe for road trips.

🔗 Collocations

maintain a vehicle – to regularly service and repair a car, truck, etc.

maintain equipment – to keep machinery or tools in good working condition

maintain a system – to check and update a computer or mechanical system to prevent failures

🔄 Synonyms

service (vt.) – to perform routine maintenance on a machine or vehicle

overhaul (vt.) – to completely examine and repair a machine or system

keep up (phr. v.) – to take proper care of something so it stays in good condition

🚫 Antonyms

neglect (vt.) – to fail to care for or maintain something

damage (vt.) – to cause harm or injury to something, making it less effective

break (v.) – to cause something to stop working by damaging it

🌱 Derivatives

maintenance (n.) – the act of keeping something in good condition

maintainable (adj.) – able to be kept in good working order

maintainer (n.) – a person who performs maintenance tasks