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.
Plus, management has done a solid job keeping costs down to improve margins. Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025 Inadequate record keeping of seafood/shellfish and fish. Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2025 There's even a feature to transcribe voice calls to text, for more efficient record keeping – which supports 37 languages and translations. New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2025 The low $200 threshold of the new regulation will substantially add to the record keeping for many normal payments going from the U.S. to Mexico. Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Keeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keeping. Accessed 21 Apr. 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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