maintenance
/ˈmeɪn.tən.əns/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
The work needed to keep something in good condition. It also means the regular care and repair of machines, buildings, roads, or software.
- The car needs regular maintenance.
- The lift is under maintenance.
- Website maintenance will happen tonight.
- 2.
The money or support needed to live on, especially after separation or divorce. In this use, it is more formal.
- He pays maintenance for his children.
- She applied for maintenance after the divorce.
Adinary Nuance
Maintenance is the regular work that keeps something working well. It is not the same as repair, which usually means fixing something after it breaks. It is also different from upkeep, which is similar but often sounds a little more general or less technical.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bảo trì
- Spanish
- mantenimiento
- Chinese
- 维护
- Japanese
- メンテナンス
- Korean
- 유지 보수
Etymology
Maintenance comes from Old French maintenance, from maintenir meaning “to keep up” or “sustain.” It entered English in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
routine maintenanceregular maintenanceunder maintenancemaintenance work
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is maintenance formal or informal?
- It is a common word in both everyday and formal writing. It is especially common in technical, business, and school contexts.
- What is the difference between maintenance and repair?
- Maintenance is regular care to prevent problems. Repair is fixing something after it is damaged or broken.
- Can I use maintenance for websites and apps?
- Yes. People often say a website or app is under maintenance when it is being updated or checked.
- Does maintenance mean money in legal English?
- Yes. In legal English, maintenance can mean financial support, often after divorce or separation.