keep up

verb

kept up; keeping up; keeps up

transitive verb

: to persist or persevere in
kept up the good work
also : maintain, sustain
keep standards up

intransitive verb

1
: to keep adequately informed or up-to-date
keep up on international affairs
2
: to continue without interruption
rain kept up all night
3
: to maintain contact or relations with someone
keep up with old friends

Examples of keep up in a Sentence

let's hope that old air conditioner keeps up through this heat wave kept the house up while the owners were gone
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.
During the busy holiday season, many online retailers and delivery services hire additional seasonal workers to help keep up with the flood of packages. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Dec. 2024 It’s all been part of a quiet-yet-loud two months for Sing, which could rank amongst the best-performing movies ever on Netflix if this streak keeps up. Travis Bean, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 There’s still enough room inside to keep up to six standard-sized cans of soda. Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024 And for those who like to keep up with their workout routines on the road, there is a two-story gym with Technogym equipment. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for keep up 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of keep up was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Keep up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20up. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

keep up

verb
1
: maintain sense 1
keep standards up
2
: to stay well informed about something
keep up on the news
3
: to continue without interruption
rain kept up all night
4
: to stay even with others (as in a race)

More from Merriam-Webster on keep up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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