keeping

noun

keep·​ing ˈkē-piŋ 

1

: conformity

in keeping with good taste

out of keeping with the decor

2

: the act of one that keeps: such as

a

: custody, maintenance

b

: observance

c

: a reserving or preserving for future use

3

a

: the means by which something is kept : support, provision

b

: the state of being kept or the condition in which something is kept

the house is in good keeping

Synonyms

• care
• custodianship
• custody
• guardianship
• safekeeping
• trust
• ward

Examples of keeping in a Sentence

put the house keys into a neighbor's secure keeping while they were on vacation

my aunt has all of our family's old photographs in her keeping

Recent Examples on the Web

But some industry experts are suspicious of this upstairs/downstairs approach to inn keeping. —Carley Thornell, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2024

Blackfish became a phenomenon and even influenced numerous laws around the globe that regulated the treatment and legality of keeping and breeding orcas. —Keith Langston, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024

Tsao argues people sticking together will prove to be a critical factor in keeping as many of them protected as possible. —Glenn Minnis | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 22 Dec. 2024

Thanks to one of Zenith’s watchmakers with extraordinary foresight, the El Primero was safeguarded for future keeping. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing keeping

• how are you keeping
• in keeping with
• in someone's keeping
• keeping a watching brief
• keeping company with the likes of
• keeping room
• out of keeping with
• record-keeping
• what is keeping someone

Kids Definition

keeping

noun

keep·​ing

ˈkē-piŋ

1

: watchful attention : care

2

: a proper or fitting relationship : harmony

in keeping with good taste