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verb \ˈkēp\

Simple Definition of keep


  • : to continue in a specified state, condition, or position


Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of keep


play \ˈkept\


  1. transitive verb
  2. 1 :  to take notice of by appropriate conduct :  fulfill: as a :  to be faithful to <keep a promise> b :  to act fittingly in relation to <keep the Sabbath> c :  to conform to in habits or conduct <keep late hours> d :  to stay in accord with (a beat) <keep time>

  3. 2 :  preserve, maintain: as a :  to watch over and defend <keep us from harm> b (1) :  to take care of :  tend <keep a garden> (2) :  support (3) :  to maintain in a good, fitting, or orderly condition —usually used with up c :  to continue to maintain <keep watch> d (1) :  to cause to remain in a given place, situation, or condition <keep him waiting> (2) :  to preserve (food) in an unspoiled condition e (1) :  to have or maintain in an established position or relationship <keep a mistress> —often used with on <kept the cook on> (2) :  to lodge or feed for pay <keep boarders> f (1) :  to maintain a record in <keep a diary> (2) :  to enter in a book <keep records> g :  to have customarily in stock for sale

  4. 3 a :  to restrain from departure or removal :  detain <keep children after school> b :  hold back, restrain <keep them from going> <kept him back with difficulty> c :  save, reserve <keep some for later> <kept some out for a friend> d :  to refrain from revealing <keep a secret>

  5. 4 a :  to retain in one's possession or power <kept the money we found> b :  to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing <kept the news back> c :  to have in control <keep your temper>

  6. 5 :  to confine oneself to <keep my room>

  7. 6 a :  to stay or continue in <keep the path> <keep your seat> b :  to stay or remain on or in usually against opposition :  hold <kept her ground>

  8. 7 :  conduct, manage <keep a tearoom>

  9. intransitive verb
  10. 1 chiefly British :  live, lodge

  11. 2 a :  to maintain a course, direction, or progress <keep to the right> b :  to continue usually without interruption <keep talking> <keep quiet> <keep on smiling> c :  to persist in a practice <kept bothering them> <kept on smoking in spite of warnings>

  12. 3 :  stay, remain <keep out of the way> <keep off the grass>: as a :  to stay even —usually used with up <keep up with the Joneses> b :  to remain in good condition <meat will keep in the freezer> c :  to remain secret <the secret would keep> d :  to call for no immediate action <the matter will keep until morning>

  13. 4 :  abstain, refrain <can't keep from talking>

  14. 5 :  to be in session <school will keep through the winter — W. M. Thayer>

  15. 6 of a quarterback :  to retain possession of a football especially after faking a handoff

keep an eye on

  1. :  watch

keep at

  1. :  to persist in doing or concerning oneself with

keep company

  1. :  to go together as frequent companions or in courtship

keep house

  1. :  to manage a household

keep one's distance


keep at a distance

  1. :  to stay aloof :  maintain a reserved attitude

keep one's eyes open


keep one's eyes peeled

  1. :  to be on the alert :  be watchful

keep one's hand in

  1. :  to keep in practice

keep one's head down

  1. :  to avoid attracting notice

keep one's nose clean

  1. :  to avoid trouble especially through good behavior

keep pace

  1. :  to stay even; also :  keep up 1

keep step

  1. :  to keep in step

keep to

  1. 1 a :  to stay in b :  to limit oneself to

  2. 2 :  to abide by

keep to oneself

  1. 1 :  to keep secret <kept the facts to myself>

  2. 2 :  to remain solitary or apart from other people

Examples of keep in a sentence

  1. She's going to keep the money she found.




  5. I asked them to keep quiet.






Origin and Etymology of keep


First Known Use: before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of keep





Simple Definition of keep

  • : the strongest part of a castle built in the Middle Ages

Source: Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

Full Definition of keep

  1. 1 a archaic :  custody, charge b :  maintenance

  2. 2 :  one that keeps or protects: as a :  fortress, castle; specifically :  the strongest and securest part of a medieval castle b :  one whose job is to keep or tend c :  prison, jail

  3. 3 :  the means or provisions by which one is kept <earned his keep>

  4. 4 :  keeper 5

for keeps

  1. 1 a :  with the provision that one keep what one has won <played marbles for keeps> b :  with deadly seriousness

  2. 2 :  for an indefinitely long time :  permanently

  3. 3 :  with the result of ending the matter

Examples of keep in a sentence



First Known Use of keep


KEEP Defined for Kids



verb \ˈkēp\

Definition of keep for Students




  1. 1 :  to remain or cause to remain in a given place, situation, or condition <Keep off the grass.> <She kept us waiting.>

  2. 2 :  to put in a specified place for storage <Where do you keep the sugar?>

  3. 3 :  protect <I'll keep you from harm.>

  4. 4 :  to continue doing something <Snow kept falling.>

  5. 5 :  to continue to have in possession or power <Did you keep the money you found?>

  6. 6 :  to prevent from leaving :  detain <The criminal was kept in jail.>

  7. 7 :  to hold back <Can you keep a secret?>

  8. 8 :  to be faithful to :  fulfill <I kept my promise.>

  9. 9 :  to act properly in relation to <Remember to keep the Sabbath.>

  10. 10 :  to take care of :  tend <I keep a vegetable garden.>

  11. 11 :  to have available for service or at someone's disposal <Grandpa wants to keep a car.>

  12. 12 :  to preserve a record in <He began to keep a diary.>

  13. 13 :  to continue in an unspoiled condition <Buy food that keeps well.>

  14. 14 :  1refrain <They seem unable to keep from talking.>

keep an eye on

  1. :  1watch 3 <Please keep an eye on the baby until I get back.>

keep up

  1. 1 :  to continue without interruption <The rain kept up all night.>

  2. 2 :  to stay even with others (as in a race)

  3. 3 :  to stay well informed about something <He tries to keep up with the news.>

  4. 4 :  maintain 2 <They keep up the yard.>

Headscratcher for keep

Have you ever been told to keep your eyes peeled, and wondered how you were supposed to peel your eyes? The “peel” in the expression refers to your eyelids. To keep your eyes peeled means to keep them open—in other words, to be watchful.




Definition of keep for Students

  1. 1 :  the strongest part of a castle in the Middle Ages

  2. 2 :  the necessities of life <Their father could not earn the family's keep.>

for keeps

  1. 1 :  with the understanding that a person or group may keep what is won <We'll play marbles for keeps.>

  2. 2 :  for a long time :  permanently <He stayed angry for keeps.>

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