upkeep

[uhp-keep]

noun

1. the 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.

2. the total sum of the costs or expenses for this.

upkeep

/ ˈʌpˌkiːp /

noun

1. the act or process of keeping something in good repair, esp over a long period; maintenance

2. the cost of maintenance

Word History and Origins

Origin of upkeep¹

First recorded in 1880–85; up- + keep

Example Sentences

From a distance, the upkeep on their vacant lot proved to be too much so they sold that too.

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Asked about allegations of neglect, Mr Kumar said "all care and upkeep was followed", but declined to take specific questions.

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The grant money paid for storage and upkeep of lab materials such as cells, as well as the costs for a staff of six that included undergraduate and graduate researchers.

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That reporting also revealed that Edison knew that some of the electrical towers under investigation were long overdue for critical upkeep and were classified as an “ignition risk” in company records.

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The money funds research into cancer, math, brain science and other areas, and helps pay for graduate student stipends and tuition as well as lab upkeep.

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Related Words

• conservation 
• outlay 
• preservation 
• repair