v.
 (past and past part. kept)
      - have or retain possession of. ▸retain or reserve for use in the future. ▸put or store in a regular place. ▸(of a perishable commodity) remain in good condition. 
- continue or cause to continue in a specified condition, position, or activity:![]()  keep away from the edge she kept quiet about it. 
- provide for the sustenance of. ▸own and look after (an animal). ▸
[as adj. kept]
 supported financially in return for sexual favours. 
- delay or detain; cause to be late.
- honour or fulfil (a commitment or undertaking). ▸observe or pay due regard to (a law, custom, or religious occasion). 
- regularly make entries in (a diary). ▸write down as (a record): ![]()  keep a note of each item. 
n.
   - food, clothes, and other essentials for living.
- archaic charge; control.
- the strongest or central tower of a castle.
Phrase
  
    
      - for keeps
 informal permanently; indefinitely.
 
  Phrase verbal
  
    - keep at 
(or keep someone at)
 persist (or force someone to persist) with.
- keep from 
(or keep someone from)
 avoid (or cause someone to avoid) doing something.
- keep something from
 - cause something to remain a secret from (someone).
- cause something to stay out of:![]()  she couldn't keep the dismay from her voice. 
 
- keep someone from
 guard or protect someone from.
- keep off
 avoid encroaching on.▸avoid consuming: ![]()  the first thing was to keep off alcohol. 
▸avoid (a topic). 
- keep on
 continue to do something.
- keep on about
 speak about (something) repeatedly.
- keep on at
 Brit. harass with constant requests.
- keep someone/thing on
 continue to use or employ someone or something.
- keep to
 - avoid leaving (a path, road, or place).
- adhere to (a schedule).
- observe (a promise).
- confine or restrict oneself to.
 
- keep up
 move or progress at the same rate as someone or something else.
- keep up with
 - learn about or be aware of (current events or developments).
- continue to be in contact with (someone).
- meet a regular commitment to pay or do (something).
 
- keep something up
 continue a course of action.
 
  Derivative
  
  Etymology
  OE cēpan ‘seize, take in’, also ‘care for, attend to’, of unknown origin.