kept

[kept]

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of keep.

adjective

1. having the expression of principles, ideas, etc., controlled, dominated, or determined by one whose money provides support.

   a kept press;

   a kept writer.

kept

/ kɛpt /

verb

1. the past tense and past participle of keep

2. pejorative,  a woman maintained by a man as his mistress

Other Word Forms

• unkept adjective
• well-kept adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kept¹

First recorded in 1670–80 kept for def. 2

Example Sentences

Serra players kept cramping on defense, repeatedly slowing down Sierra Canyon’s up-tempo offense.

From Los Angeles Times

Verstappen's last remark highlights an issue with the system whereby if the dry ice cannot be kept cold for long enough, the fluid in the system takes on the ambient temperature around the tank.

From BBC

He called people, instead, and kept a file of direct lines, or he met with people face to face.

From Los Angeles Times

So he kept a scrapbook for a while, but then he just lost count of all the stories that made Harborough memorable.

From BBC

"Maybe that's why the police were arresting people, and why the government kept silent – because, in their eyes, we didn't follow the traditional path of organisations and political parties."

From BBC