maintenance

Everyday

1. Work done to keep a building, machine, road and so on in good working order. tree →
2. (UK, Ireland, Australia) Money paid regularly by one parent to help look after a child after a divorce or separation. tree →
3. Keeping something at the same level (weight maintenance). tree →
4. Maintenance can also mean the food and supplies that keep a person or household alive. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life: bike maintenance, car maintenance, the maintenance team fixing a leaking roof at school. In safety: machines and lifts need regular maintenance. Phrases: under maintenance, maintenance work, low maintenance (needs little care), high maintenance (needs a lot of care or attention, sometimes said of people, informally).

Examples

• The pool is closed for maintenance. tree →
• Bike maintenance includes pumping tyres and oiling the chain. tree →
• The school's maintenance man fixed the door. tree →
• The website is down for maintenance. tree →
• A cactus is a low-maintenance plant. tree →
• Regular maintenance keeps the lifts safe. tree →
• Dad pays maintenance for my brother. tree →
• A JACKDAW, seeing some Doves in a cote abundantly provided with food, painted himself white and joined them in order to share their plentiful maintenance. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Verb: maintain — spelling trap: maintain but mainTENance (not "maintainance"). "High maintenance" about a person is informal and a bit rude.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday life: bike maintenance, car maintenance, the maintenance team fixing a leaking roof at school. In safety: machines and lifts need regular maintenance. Phrases: under maintenance, maintenance work, low maintenance (needs little care), high maintenance (needs a lot of care or attention, sometimes said of people, informally).

Examples

• And there will be goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household; and maintenance for thy maidens. (Writings PRO.27.27, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable. Verb: maintain — spelling trap: maintain but mainTENance (not "maintainance"). "High maintenance" about a person is informal and a bit rude.