maintenance

noun

main·​te·​nance ˈmānt-nən(t)s How to pronounce maintenance (audio)
ˈmān-tə-nən(t)s
1
: the act of maintaining : the state of being maintained : support
The building has suffered from years of poor maintenance.
2
: something that maintains
at least half of them are living parasitically on the other half instead of producing maintenance for themselvesG. B. Shaw
3
: the upkeep of property or equipment
the maintenance of the school
4
: an officious or unlawful intermeddling in a legal suit by assisting either party with means to carry it on

Examples of maintenance in a Sentence

Soon he could take an Underwood apart and put it together blindfolded, a trick that won him the account for maintenance of all the typewriters at Columbia-Presbyterian hospital … Ian Frazier, Atlantic, November 1997
The building has suffered from years of poor maintenance. the costs of routine car maintenance maintenance of law and order money for the family's maintenance
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.
The first-term member supports consistent city park maintenance and wants to look into state and federal funding for city infrastructure projects and other local amenities. Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 Implementing proactive maintenance programs, responding quickly to tenant concerns, and continually improving the property’s amenities are essential components of a strong management strategy. Meyer Orbach, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Those striking workers help power editorial products critical for election coverage, including mobile push alerts, app and website maintenance, and The Times' real-time election result infographics. Sara Fischer, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024 These devices will improve the safety of maintenance crews and those traveling during debris removal efforts, said the FHWA. Amir Mahmoud, arkansasonline.com, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for maintenance 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from maintenir — see maintain

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near maintenance

Cite this Entry

“Maintenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maintenance. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

maintenance

noun
main·​te·​nance ˈmānt-nən(t)s How to pronounce maintenance (audio)
-ᵊn-ən(t)s
1
: the act of maintaining : the state of being maintained
maintenance of law and order
money for the family's maintenance
2
: something that maintains
3
: the care of property or equipment
workers in charge of maintenance

Medical Definition

maintenance

adjective
main·​te·​nance ˈmānt-nən(t)s, -ᵊn-ən(t)s How to pronounce maintenance (audio)
: designed or adequate to maintain a patient in a stable condition : serving to maintain a gradual process of healing or to prevent a relapse
a maintenance dose
maintenance chemotherapy

Legal Definition

maintenance

noun
main·​te·​nance
1
a
: the act of providing basic and necessary support
b
: the state of having such support
2
: a financial means of providing necessary assistance: as
a
b
3
: the necessities of life provided for by payment of maintenance
4
: the upkeep of property or equipment
5
: unsought and unnecessary meddling in a lawsuit by assisting either party with means to carry it on compare champerty

More from Merriam-Webster on maintenance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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