keep down

verb

kept down; keeping down; keeps down

transitive verb

1
: to keep in control
keep expenses down
2
: to prevent from growing, advancing, or succeeding

Examples of keep down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
But the change has come at a price for others — it’s contributed to rising drug plan premiums that the government has tried to keep down by paying insurers billions of dollars from the Medicare trust fund. Fatima Hussein and Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 In addition, the Fox and Foxtel partnership is the latest sign U.S. and international TV groups are working together to help keep down content costs and create a more sustainable business model for the TV industry. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 July 2024 The hospital would be tuned into its location in other ways as well: reflective glass would keep down electricity costs, a mosque would operate alongside the wards, and the mission would appeal to Cairo’s diverse citizens—to treat and cure regardless of faith, race, or ability to pay. Sushrut Jangi, Foreign Affairs, 7 Dec. 2014 Some would allow for cheap fuel but would increase the cost of vehicles; others would be able to keep down the cost of both. Gal Luft, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2013 See all Example Sentences for keep down 

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of keep down was in 1548

Dictionary Entries Near keep down

Cite this Entry

“Keep down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20down. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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