housekeeping

American  

[hous-kee-ping] / ˈhaʊsˌki pɪŋ /

noun

1. the maintenance of a house or domestic establishment.

2. the management of household affairs.

3. the management, care, and servicing of property and equipment of an industrial or commercial building or organization.

4. the ongoing routine, procedures, operations, and management of a commercial enterprise, government, organization, or the like.

5. Computers. system tasks, as initialization and managing peripheral devices, that must be done to permit a computer program to execute properly but that do not directly contribute to program output.

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housekeeping British  

/ ˈhaʊsˌkiːpɪŋ /

noun

1. the running of a household

2. money allocated for the running of a household

3. organization and tidiness in general, as of an office, shop, etc

4. the general maintenance of a computer storage system, including removal of obsolete files, documentation, security copying, etc

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Etymology

Origin of housekeeping

First recorded in 1530–40; house + keeping

Example Sentences

This finding challenges the long-held view that housekeeping genes play only passive roles and highlights their potential in crop improvement.

From Science Daily • May 5, 2026

In late 2024, housekeeping supervisors Patsy and Elsy, who are referred to in the first lawsuit against Jenner as well, by their first names only, stepped into their leadership roles.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

This is potentially controversial because it threatens housekeepers’ jobs, but on a short stay where I have to work in the room for hours I prefer to decline housekeeping.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Day-to-day upkeep like mowing the lawn, shoveling snow and even basic housekeeping can become burdensome or unsafe as physical limitations increase.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

My motto on housekeeping: when in doubt, wash it out.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

Related Words

• housework