keep
verb (used with object)
to hold or retain in one's possession; hold as one's own.
were keeping
-
past progressiveof keep.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, who campaigned alongside Murphy on Friday, said he and his wife were keeping the senator and his family in their prayers.
From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2026
Among the issues dominating the election in 2026 were keeping young people on the island, the availability and cost of housing, wind farms, healthcare waiting times, and the impacts of spiralling expenses for small businesses.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026
Senior political appointees at DOJ, including Stanley Woodward, the No. 3 official, and Trent McCotter, then an aide to the deputy attorney general, were keeping close tabs on the case, the people said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
Traders were keeping an eye on Tokyo amid speculation the government could intervene in currency markets after the yen hit its weakest level against the dollar since 1986.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
He noted tools that disappeared, and that the enslaved sheep shearers and spinners who were only supposed to take small amounts of “dirty wool” for themselves were keeping large amounts.
From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis
