maintenance
Usage
What are other ways to say maintenance?
Generally, maintenance refers to care or upkeep, as of machinery or property. But sometimes, maintenance refers to what is spent for the living of another: to provide for the maintenance or support of someone. Maintenance occasionally refers to the allowance itself provided for livelihood: They are entitled to a maintenance from this estate. Living and livelihood (a somewhat more formal word), both refer to what one earns to keep (oneself) alive, but are seldom interchangeable within the same phrase: to earn one's living; to threaten one's livelihood. “To make a living” suggests making just enough to keep alive, and is particularly frequent in the negative: You cannot make a living out of that. “To make a livelihood out of something” suggests rather making a business of it: to make a livelihood out of knitting hats.
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.
The move would give lawmakers power over the center’s operations, maintenance and management.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
“All historic resorts—including five-star properties—face ongoing maintenance needs,” the Justices’ attorney said, noting that the Greenbrier makes “significant” investment in new plantings each year.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026
It said the MoD now expected soldiers to conduct maintenance checks every time they stopped the vehicles, which was "unreasonable" given that they might need to use the vehicles for long periods in combat operations.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
“The question is whether it’s commercially viable and/or attractive compared to terrestrial compute,” he added, highlighting that hardware maintenance and launch costs could pose challenges.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026
Nobody grows up hoping to become a maintenance engineer.
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
Vocabulary lists containing maintenance
Freak the Mighty
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Declaration of the Rights of Woman (1791)
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Franklin D. Roosevelt, "A Date That Will Live In Infamy" (1941)
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