Reading Theme:
Maintenance: Definition, Usage & Key Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：upkeep and care (maintenance)
maintenance
/ˈmeɪntənəns/
n.
The regular work you do to keep something, like a machine or a building, working well and in good condition.
upkeep and care
➕
/ˈʌpkiːp ənd keər/
n.
The routine tasks or work performed to keep a physical object, machine, or system functioning properly and in good repair.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'manu tenēre' (to hold in hand), via Old French 'maintenir', meaning to uphold or support.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of MAINtaining a TENnis court. It needs constant care (maintenance) to stay in playable condition.
📖 Example
Regular maintenance of your bicycle, such as oiling the chain and checking the brakes, can prevent serious problems later.
Performing regular upkeep on your bicycle, which includes oiling the chain and inspecting the brakes, helps avoid major issues in the future.
🔗 Collocations
routine maintenance – Regular, scheduled checks and tasks to keep something in order.
maintenance schedule – A planned timetable for performing upkeep tasks.
maintenance work – The specific tasks or labor involved in upkeep.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
neglect (n.) – The state of not receiving proper care or attention, leading to deterioration.
deterioration (n.) – The process of becoming progressively worse in condition or quality.
abandonment (n.) – The act of leaving something or someone permanently and ceasing to support or look after it.
🌱 Derivatives
maintain (v.) – To cause something to continue or to keep it in good condition.
maintainable (adj.) – Capable of being kept in good condition or continued.
📖 Cultural Story
The word entered English in the 14th century from Old French, originally tied to legal and feudal contexts (e.g., 'maintenance of a legal case' or supporting a lord). It reflects the concept of actively holding or supporting something in a desired state.
Meaning 2：sustaining or preserving (maintenance)
maintenance
/ˈmeɪntənəns/
n.
The act of keeping something, like a level, a situation, or a relationship, the same and not letting it fail or get worse.
sustaining or preserving
➕
/səˈsteɪnɪŋ ɔːr prɪˈzɜːvɪŋ/
n.
The action of keeping something, such as a state, level, standard, or relationship, unchanged, stable, and in existence.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The success of a long-distance relationship often depends on the maintenance of good communication and trust.
For a long-distance relationship to thrive, it is crucial to sustain good communication and a foundation of trust.
🔗 Collocations
maintenance of order – The act of keeping peace, stability, and control in a situation.
peace maintenance – The process of preserving a state of peace and preventing conflict.
maintenance of standards – The act of upholding a consistent level of quality or principle.
🔄 Synonyms
preservation (n.) – The act of maintaining something in its original or existing state.
sustenance (n.) – The maintaining of someone or something in life or existence.
continuation (n.) – The action of carrying something on over time.
🚫 Antonyms
decline (n.) – A gradual and continuous loss of strength, quality, or quantity.
disruption (n.) – Disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process.
termination (n.) – The action of bringing something to an end.
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