upkeep

noun

up·​keep ˈəp-ˌkēp 

1

: the act of maintaining in good condition : the state of being maintained in good condition

2

: the cost of maintaining in good condition

Synonyms

• care and feeding
• conservation
• conserving
• keep
• maintenance
• preservation
• preserving
• sustentation

Examples of upkeep in a Sentence

Who is responsible for the upkeep of these buildings?

Once your car gets that old, the cost of upkeep can get very expensive.

The yard requires very little upkeep.

We sold our horse because we could no longer afford its upkeep.

Recent Examples on the Web

Popular Nail Polish Colors For Every Month 01 of 08 Short Nails Long nails have undeniably been the most popular nail length for the past five years—or perhaps more—however people seem to be tiring of the upkeep of long nails, no matter if natural or faux. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024

The shoes are also machine washable for easy upkeep. —Avery Stone, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024

The upkeep is more forgiving than what’s required for other trends on this list. —Sam Escobar, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024

But decades later, aluminum trees are making a return thanks to their modern flair and minimum upkeep. —Jeanne Lyons Davis, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

upkeep

noun

up·​keep ˈəp-ˌkēp 

: the act or cost of maintaining in good condition : maintenance