First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1keep
verb \ˈkēp\
: to continue having or holding (something) : to not return, lose, sell, give away, or throw away (something)
: to continue in a specified state, condition, or position
: to cause (someone or something) to continue in a specified state, condition, or position
kept \ˈkept\ keep·ing
Full Definition of KEEP
transitive verb
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>
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
3
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>
5
: to confine oneself to <keep my room>
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>
intransitive verb
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>
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>
5
: to be in session <school will keep through the winter — W. M. Thayer>
6
of a quarterback : to retain possession of a football especially after faking a handoff
— keep an eye on
: watch
— keep at
: to persist in doing or concerning oneself with
— keep company
: to go together as frequent companions or in courtship
— keep house
: to manage a household
— keep one's distance or keep at a distance
: to stay aloof : maintain a reserved attitude
— keep one's eyes open or keep one's eyes peeled
: to be on the alert : be watchful
— keep one's hand in
: to keep in practice
— keep one's head down
: to avoid attracting notice
— keep one's nose clean
: to avoid trouble especially through good behavior
— keep pace
: to stay even; also : keep up 1
— keep step
: to keep in step
— keep to
1
a : to stay in b : to limit oneself to
2
: to abide by
— keep to oneself
1
: to keep secret <kept the facts to myself>
2
: to remain solitary or apart from other people
See keep defined for English-language learners
See keep defined for kids
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Origin of KEEP
Middle English kepen, from Old English cēpan; perhaps akin to Old High German chapfēn to look
Related to KEEP
- Synonyms
- celebrate, commemorate, observe
- Antonyms
- break, transgress, violate
Synonym Discussion of KEEP
keep, observe, celebrate, commemorate mean to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed. keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating <kept the Sabbath by refraining from work>. observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance <not all holidays are observed nationally>. celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity <traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner>. commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event <commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths>.keep, retain, detain, withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control. keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control <keep this while I'm gone>. retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss <managed to retain their dignity even in poverty>. detain suggests a delay in letting go <detained them for questioning>. withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go <withheld information from the authorities>. reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use <reserve some of your energy for the last mile>.
2keep
noun
: the strongest part of a castle built in the Middle Ages
Full Definition of KEEP
1
a archaic : custody, charge b : maintenance
2
3
: the means or provisions by which one is kept <earned his keep>
4
: keeper 5
— for keeps
1
a : with the provision that one keep what one has won <played marbles for keeps> b : with deadly seriousness
2
: for an indefinitely long time : permanently
3
: with the result of ending the matter
See keep defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of KEEP
1579
Related to KEEP
KEEP Defined for Kids
1keep
verb \ˈkēp\
kept \ˈkept\keep·ing
Definition of KEEP for Kids
1
: to remain or cause to remain in a given place, situation, or condition <Keep off the grass.> <She kept us waiting.>
2
: to put in a specified place for storage <Where do you keep the sugar?>
3
: protect <I'll keep you from harm.>
4
: to continue doing something <Snow kept falling.>
5
: to continue to have in possession or power <Did you keep the money you found?>
6
: to prevent from leaving : detain <The criminal was kept in jail.>
7
: to hold back <Can you keep a secret?>
8
: to be faithful to : fulfill <I kept my promise.>
9
: to act properly in relation to <Remember to keep the Sabbath.>
10
: to take care of : tend <I keep a vegetable garden.>
11
: to have available for service or at someone's disposal <Grandpa wants to keep a car.>
12
: to preserve a record in <He began to keep a diary.>
13
: to continue in an unspoiled condition <Buy food that keeps well.>
14
: 1refrain <They seem unable to keep from talking.>
— keep an eye on
: 1watch 3 <Please keep an eye on the baby until I get back.>
— keep up
1
: to continue without interruption <The rain kept up all night.>
2
: to stay even with others (as in a race)
3
: to stay well informed about something <He tries to keep up with the news.>
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.
2keep
noun
Definition of KEEP for Kids
1
: the strongest part of a castle in the Middle Ages
2
: the necessities of life <Their father could not earn the family's keep.>
— for keeps
1
: with the understanding that a person or group may keep what is won <We'll play marbles for keeps.>
2
: for a long time : permanently <He stayed angry for keeps.>
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