keep
verb (used with object)
to hold or retain in one's possession; hold as one's own.
had kept
-
past perfectof keep.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
The win was also the first time that Arsenal had kept a clean sheet at Anfield in the Premier League since that victory in 2012.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
OPEC+ had kept production unchanged also for November, following the completion in September of the phased unwinding of 1.65 million barrels a day in voluntary production cuts agreed in 2023.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026
The men had known each other for nearly three decades, but as members of rival gangs had kept a wary distance for years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
Meghan, who has been estranged from her father since before her 2018 wedding, said Friday that she had kept him away from Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to protect them.
From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2026
On the way out, they threw away the plastic that had kept the pages safe for years.
From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty
