care and maintenance

British

noun

C M. commerce the state of a building, ship, machinery, etc, that is not in current use although it is kept in good condition to enable it to be quickly brought into service if there is demand for it

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“U. S. residents will continue to enjoy affordable pricing, while nonresidents will pay a higher rate to help support the care and maintenance of America’s parks,” the Interior Department said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

The “professional services agreement” between the district and the artists, executed in 2006, states that “the district is responsible for the proper care and maintenance of the Artwork.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

It’s temporary and usually more affordable than a new paint job but requires some care and maintenance to retain its quality.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 24, 2024

It is understood a small team of staff is to be retained on site for "care and maintenance" but Unite's Jason Bartlett said the closure was "heart-breaking" for the workers involved.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2023

Harbour defences to remain in charge of British care and maintenance parties.

From The Irish Constitution Explained by Darrell Figgis by Figgis, Darrell

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023