keep

to hold in a given place; store: You can keep your things in here.

to maintain (some action), especially in accordance with specific requirements, a promise, etc.: to keep watch; to keep step.

to cause to continue in a given position, state, course, or action: to keep a light burning; to keep a child happy.

to maintain in condition or order, as by care and labor: He keeps his car in good condition.

to maintain in usable or edible condition; preserve: If you want to keep meat for a long time, freeze it.

to hold in custody or under guard, as a prisoner: They kept him in jail.

to cause to stay in a particular place; prevent or restrain from departure: The work kept her at the office.

to have regularly in stock and for sale: to keep a large supply of machine parts.

to maintain in one's service or for one's use or enjoyment: to keep a car and chauffeur.

to associate with: She keeps bad company.

to have the care, charge, or custody of: She keeps my dog when I travel.

to refrain from disclosing; withhold from the knowledge of others: to keep a secret.

to withhold from use; reserve; save: I'll keep this toy until you learn to behave. Keep the good wine for company.

to hold back or restrain: They kept the child from talking. Nothing can keep him from doing it.

to maintain control of; regulate: to keep the peace; to keep your temper.

to maintain by writing: to keep a diary.

to record (business transactions, daily occurrences, etc.) regularly: to keep records; to keep a list of visitors.

to observe; pay obedient regard to (a law, rule, promise, etc.).

to conform to; follow; fulfill: to keep one's word.

to observe (a season, festival, etc.) with formalities or rites: to keep Christmas.

to maintain or carry on, as an establishment, business, etc.; manage.

to guard; protect: He kept her from harm.

to maintain or support: It costs more each year to keep a house.

to support or contribute to the support of in return for sexual or other favors.

to take care of; tend: to keep a vegetable garden.

to raise (livestock): These farmers keep goats and cattle.

to remain in (a place, spot, etc.): Please keep your seats.

to maintain one's position in or on: He kept the job.

to continue to follow (a path, track, course, etc.).

to maintain in active existence, as an assembly, court, or fair.

to remain or stay in a particular place: to keep indoors.

to continue unimpaired or without spoiling: The food will keep on ice.

to admit of being reserved for a future occasion: I have more to tell you, but it will keep.

to keep oneself or itself as specified (followed by away, back, off, out, etc.): Keep off the grass.

to restrain oneself; refrain (usually followed by from): Try to keep from smiling.

keeps, (used with a singular verb) a game of marbles in which the players keep the marbles they have won.

(tr) to store in a customary place: I keep my books in the desk

to remain or cause to remain in a specified state or condition: keep the dog quiet; keep ready

to continue or cause to continue: keep the beat; keep in step

(tr) to have or take charge or care of: keep the shop for me till I return

(tr) to look after or maintain for use, pleasure, etc: to keep chickens; keep two cars

(tr) to provide for the upkeep or livelihood of

(tr) to support financially, esp in return for sexual favours: he keeps a mistress in the country

to confine or detain or be confined or detained

to withhold or reserve or admit of withholding or reserving: your news will keep till later

(tr) to refrain from divulging or violating: to keep a secret; keep one's word

to preserve or admit of preservation

(tr sometimes foll by up) to observe with due rites or ceremonies: to keep Christmas

(tr) to maintain by writing regular records in: to keep a diary

(when intr, foll by in, on, to, etc) to stay in, on, or at (a place or position): please keep your seats; keep to the path

(tr) to associate with (esp in the phrase keep bad company)

(tr) to maintain in existence: to keep court in the palace

(tr) mainly British to have habitually in stock: this shop keeps all kinds of wool

how are you keeping? how are you?

keep tabs on informal to keep a watchful eye on

keep track of See track (def. 15)

keep time See time (def. 42)

keep wicket to play as wicketkeeper in the game of cricket

you can keep it informal I have no interest in what you are offering

Also called: dungeon, donjon the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

informal