kept

American  

[kept] / kɛpt /

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of keep.

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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 British  

/ kɛpt /

verb

1. the past tense and past participle of keep

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

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Other Word Forms

• unkept adjective
• well-kept adjective

Etymology

Origin of kept

First recorded in 1670–80 kept for def. 2

Example Sentences

The blockade has already kept about half a billion barrels of oil from the market and pushed up prices by around 40%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Scott started selling vintage furniture online about 2½ years ago after his viewers kept asking him about the pieces he used.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

But she kept crashing into the same barriers.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

He called the delivery results a “whiff,” but kept his price target at $125 a share.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

But I kept my coat wrapped tight around me.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom