Definitions for keep
keep
keep
Spelling: [keep]
IPA: /kip/
Keep is a 4 letter English word.
It's valid Scrabble word worth 10 points.
It's valid Words with friends word worth 11 points.
You can make 15 anagrams from letters in keep (eekp).
Definitions for keep
noun
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board and lodging; subsistence; support:
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the innermost and strongest structure or central tower of a medieval castle.
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keeps, (used with a singular verb) a game of marbles in which the players keep the marbles they have won.
Idioms
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for keeps, Informal.
under the stipulation that one keeps one's winnings.
with serious intent or purpose.
finally; permanently:
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keep books, to maintain financial records.
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keep tab / tabs on. tab1 (def 15).
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keep time. time (def 50).
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keep to oneself,
to remain aloof from the society of others.
to hold (something) as secret or confidential:
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keep track of. track (def 38).
Verb phrases
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keep at, to persist in; be steadfast:
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keep back,
to hold in check; restrain:
to stay away from:
to refuse to reveal:
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keep down,
to hold under control or at a reduced or acceptable level:
to prevent from going up or increasing:
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keep in with, to stay in someone's favor; be on good terms with:
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keep on, to continue; persist:
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keep to,
to adhere to; conform to:
to confine oneself to:
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keep up,
to maintain an equal rate of speed, activity, or progress with another or others.
to persevere; continue.
to maintain the good condition of; keep in repair.
Also, keep up on/with.to stay informed:
to match one's friends, neighbors, business associates, etc., in success, affluence, etc.
verb (used with object)
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to hold or retain in one's possession; hold as one's own:
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to hold or have the use of for a period of time:
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to hold in a given place; store:
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to maintain (some action), especially in accordance with specific requirements, a promise, etc.:
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to cause to continue in a given position, state, course, or action:
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to maintain in condition or order, as by care and labor:
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to maintain in usable or edible condition; preserve:
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to hold in custody or under guard, as a prisoner:
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to cause to stay in a particular place; prevent or restrain from departure:
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to have regularly in stock and for sale:
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to maintain in one's service or for one's use or enjoyment:
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to associate with:
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to have the care, charge, or custody of:
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to refrain from disclosing; withhold from the knowledge of others:
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to withhold from use; reserve; save:
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to hold back or restrain:
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to maintain control of; regulate:
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to maintain by writing:
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to record (business transactions, daily occurrences, etc.) regularly:
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to observe; pay obedient regard to (a law, rule, promise, etc.).
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to conform to; follow; fulfill:
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to observe (a season, festival, etc.) with formalities or rites:
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to maintain or carry on, as an establishment, business, etc.; manage.
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to guard; protect:
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to maintain or support:
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to support or contribute to the support of in return for sexual or other favors.
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to take care of; tend:
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to raise (livestock):
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to remain in (a place, spot, etc.):
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to maintain one's position in or on:
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to continue to follow (a path, track, course, etc.).
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to maintain in active existence, as an assembly, court, or fair.
verb (used without object)
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to continue in an action, course, position, state, etc.:
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to remain, or continue to be, as specified:
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to remain or stay in a particular place:
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to continue unimpaired or without spoiling:
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to admit of being reserved for a future occasion:
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to keep oneself or itself as specified (followed by away, back, off, out, etc.):
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to restrain oneself; refrain (usually followed by from):
Origin of keep
before 1000; Middle English kepen, Old English cēpan to observe, heed, watch, await, take; perhaps akin to Old English gecōp proper, fitting, capian to look, Old Norse kōpa to stare
Examples for keep
Being under his care, it was his duty to keep it in good condition.
I think if you keep trying to do things the same way it becomes diminishing returns.
“Someone is determined to keep Bill Cosby off TV,” she continued.
When he finished, he said, "Now tell me where you keep your vegetables, Uncle Paul?"
He had entered into the path of dishonesty, and he was forced to keep on in it.
I could keep only the effect of its expression and the few tones of your voice I heard.
I keep meeting more and more people where that seems to be the case.
Domestically, the prime minister maintains the dubious line that he is the only man who can keep the still-fragile peace.
Our hero, though strong-armed, had hard work to keep up with him.
Ney said McDonnell needs to “keep a stiff lip” and stay in close contact with family members.