keeping

noun

keep·​ing ˈkē-piŋ How to pronounce keeping (audio)
1
: conformity
in keeping with good taste
out of keeping with the decor
2
: the act of one that keeps: such as
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Happily, even the base Murano is loaded up with blind-spot warning and intervention, rear automatic braking, forward collision warning, parking sensors, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 Make boxes for keeping, donating, and storing—these will come in handy. Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2025 In keeping, the brand has dressed Saldaña for some of the biggest red carpet moments. Violet Goldstone, WWD, 16 Feb. 2025 Go for Consistency In the keeping room, Salmon continued the kitchen’s blue-and-green theme, topping a custom octagonal table with a skirt made with Thibaut and Soane fabrics and dressing a chandelier (found at an estate sale) in block print shades. Diana Oates, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for keeping

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of keeping was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Keeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keeping. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

keeping

noun
keep·​ing
ˈkē-piŋ
1
: watchful attention : care
2
: a proper or fitting relationship : harmony
in keeping with good taste

More from Merriam-Webster on keeping

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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