the act or process of keeping something in good repair, esp over a long period; maintenance the cost of maintenance
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
up•keep /ˈʌpˌkip/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- Businessthe care, repairs, etc., necessary for the proper functioning of a machine, building, household, etc.
- Businessthe cost of this:Upkeep is one quarter of our budget.
up•keep
(up′kēp′),USA pronunciation n.
- Businessthe process or activity of providing an establishment, machine, person, etc., with necessary or proper maintenance, repairs, support, or the like:The machine's faulty operation shows that no one has attended to its upkeep.
- Businessthe total sum of the costs or expenses for this.
- up- + keep 1880–85
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'upkeep' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
aftercare
- armorer
- clerk of works
- costly
- expense
- keep
- maintain
- maintenance
- sustentation
- white elephant