1. To retain possession of: kept the change; must keep your composure.
2. To have as a supply: keep an ax in the shed.
3. 1. To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support: "There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
   2. To support (a mistress or lover) financially.
   3. To supply with room and board for a charge: keep boarders.
   4. To raise: keep chickens.
   5. To maintain records in: keep a yearly diary.
   6. To enter (data) in a book: keep financial records.
   7. To detain: was kept after school.
   8. To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
   9. To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
   10. To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
   11. To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
4. To put customarily; store: Where do you keep your saw?
5. 1. To supply with room and board for a charge: keep boarders.
   2. To raise: keep chickens.
   3. To maintain records in: keep a yearly diary.
   4. To enter (data) in a book: keep financial records.
   5. To detain: was kept after school.
   6. To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
   7. To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
   8. To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
   9. To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
6. To maintain for use or service: an urbanite who didn't keep a car.
7. To manage, tend, or have charge of: Keep the shop while I'm away.
8. To preserve (food).
9. To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action: tried to keep the patient calm.
10. 1. To maintain records in: keep a yearly diary.
    2. To enter (data) in a book: keep financial records.
    3. To detain: was kept after school.
    4. To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
    5. To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
    6. To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
    7. To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
11. 1. To detain: was kept after school.
    2. To restrain: kept the child away from the stove; kept the crowd back with barriers.
    3. To prevent or deter: tried to keep the ice from melting.
    4. To refrain from divulging: keep a secret.
    5. To save; reserve: keep extra money for emergencies.
12. To adhere or conform to; follow: keep late hours.
13. To be faithful to; fulfill: keep one's word.
14. To celebrate; observe.

1. To remain in a state or condition; stay: keep in line; keep quiet; kept well.
2. To continue to do: keep on talking; keep guessing.
3. To remain fresh or unspoiled: The dessert won't keep.
4. To restrain oneself; hold oneself back: I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.

1. Care; charge: The child is in my keep for the day.
2. The means by which one is supported: earn one's keep.
3. 1. The stronghold of a castle.
   2. A jail.
   3. To persevere in; carry on: We asked her to stop talking, but she kept it up.
   4. To preserve or sustain: kept up the appearance of friendship.
4. To prevent from growing, accomplishing, or succeeding: keep the revolutionaries down.
5. To hold under control or at a reduced level: Keep your voice down.
6. To refrain from vomiting: Although seasick, I managed to keep my food down.
7. To maintain in good condition: kept up the property.
8. 1. To persevere in; carry on: We asked her to stop talking, but she kept it up.
   2. To preserve or sustain: kept up the appearance of friendship.
9. To continue at the same level or pace: The snow kept up all day.
10. To continue to pay off (a financial obligation).
11. To match one's competitors, colleagues, or neighbors in success or lifestyle: couldn't keep up with his friends who went into business.
12. To remain adequately informed: loved to keep up on the gossip.

1. To prevent from growing, accomplishing, or succeeding: keep the revolutionaries down.
2. To hold under control or at a reduced level: Keep your voice down.
3. To refrain from vomiting: Although seasick, I managed to keep my food down.

1. To maintain in good condition: kept up the property.
2. 1. To persevere in; carry on: We asked her to stop talking, but she kept it up.
   2. To preserve or sustain: kept up the appearance of friendship.
3. To continue at the same level or pace: The snow kept up all day.
4. To continue to pay off (a financial obligation).
5. To match one's competitors, colleagues, or neighbors in success or lifestyle: couldn't keep up with his friends who went into business.
6. To remain adequately informed: loved to keep up on the gossip.

1. For an indefinitely long period: gave the ring to me for keeps.
2. Seriously and permanently: We're separating for keeps.

1. To watch over attentively; mind.
2. To watch closely or carefully: keep your eye on the ball.

1. To carry on a courtship: a couple who kept company but never married.
2. To socialize or associate: keeps company with some tough thugs.

1. To indicate the correct time.
2. Music To maintain the tempo or rhythm.

1. To shun the company of others: She kept to herself all morning.
2. To refrain from divulging: He kept the news to himself.

Synonyms: These verbs mean to have and maintain in one's possession or control. Keep is the most general: We received a few offers but decided to keep the house.
Retain means to continue to hold, especially in the face of possible loss: Though unhappy, he retained his sense of humor.
Withhold implies reluctance or refusal to give, grant, or allow: The tenant withheld his rent until the owner fixed the boiler.
To reserve is to hold back for the future or for a special purpose: The farmer reserved two acres for an orchard. See Also Synonyms at observe.