keeping

noun

keep·​ing ˈkē-piŋ 

1

: conformity

in keeping with good taste

out of keeping with the decor

2

: the act of one that keeps: such as

a

: custody, maintenance

b

: observance

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

Synonyms

• care
• custodianship
• custody
• guardianship
• safekeeping
• trust
• ward

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

No keeping up with or slowing down for someone else. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024

Sponsored by Detroit City Council President Pro Tem James Tate, the Animal Keeping Ordinance has legalized the keeping of eight chickens and ducks combined, and four beehives per Detroit household. —Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2024

And in Thornton, voters approved a referendum calling for a village ordinance allowing and regulating the keeping of backyard chickens. —Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2024

This is a unique position with significant responsibility and record keeping that requires diligence and self-management. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing keeping

• how are you keeping
• in keeping with
• in someone's keeping
• keeping a watching brief
• keeping company with the likes of
• keeping room
• out of keeping with
• record-keeping
• what is keeping someone

Kids Definition

keeping

noun

keep·​ing

ˈkē-piŋ

1

: watchful attention : care

2

: a proper or fitting relationship : harmony

in keeping with good taste