maintenance

USAGE SUMMARY

'maintenance' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of keeping something (usually a machine, vehicle, building, etc.) in good condition by regularly checking and repairing it. For example, you might write: "The maintenance team works hard to keep the machinery running smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although Network Rail has offered retraining and redeployment guarantees, Cash said he was "in no doubt that this leaves operations and maintenance members extremely vulnerable".

The Guardian

But Russia had earlier said it was preparing to send marines to Syria in case it needed to protect personnel and remove equipment from the naval maintenance facility.

The Guardian

Incidentally, the unheralded news from Monday's announcement might be that spending on maintenance is going to be less than planned for: Action for Roads talks of another £12bn for maintenance; Monday's Road Investment Strategy speaks of "more than £10bn" additional money for maintenance of national and local roads.

The Guardian

The government will today propose the biggest overhaul of child maintenance for a decade, arguing that the current system encourages conflict between parents.

The Guardian

Ministers claim there is currently a £4bn arrears in maintenance payments from non-resident parents.

The Guardian

The minister said the latest figures showed there were 3.5 million children from broken homes, with almost half having no effective maintenance arrangements.

The Guardian

A further 25 additional personnel will provide training in other critical skills, including medical, equipment maintenance, manoeuvre support for bridging and crossing trenches and information operations.

The Guardian

In a separate statement, he said: "The events over the Christmas period highlighted the unacceptable impact on the travelling public when plans go wrong … We have an obligation to manage the essential safety maintenance and renewal activity that is required and we need to do this in a manner that minimises the overall impact on society at large.

The Guardian - Business

High maintenance micro-management has gone because I no longer care what others think.

The Guardian

Beyond this that he is in his own way a victim of circumstance, an under-finished finisher who simply needs a little overdue affectionate maintenance.

The Guardian - Sport

According to analysis by IHS Jane's, Arab states may seek to reduce their reliance on individual defence contractors in case an internal crackdown leads to an arms embargo that would deny access to maintenance, upgrades and spare parts for military equipment.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "maintenance", be specific about the type of "maintenance" involved (e.g., "software maintenance", "building maintenance", "vehicle maintenance") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "maintenance" and "repair" interchangeably. "Maintenance" refers to regular upkeep to prevent problems, while "repair" refers to fixing something that is already broken.

Linguistic Context

The word "maintenance" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the act or process of maintaining something. According to Ludwig AI, it describes actions performed to keep a machine or system functioning. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from equipment maintenance to relationship maintenance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintenance" is a noun referring to the act of keeping something in good working order through regular checks and repairs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It is a versatile term applicable across diverse fields, from machinery and infrastructure to relationships and personal finances. It is very common in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When using "maintenance", specify the type to ensure clarity and avoid confusing it with "repair". Related terms include "upkeep", "preservation", and "servicing", each carrying slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upkeep

Focuses on preserving the condition of something through regular care.

preservation

Emphasizes keeping something in its current state, often for historical or cultural reasons.

servicing

Specifically relates to the inspection and repair of equipment or machinery.

repairs

Highlights the act of fixing something that is broken or damaged.

conservation

Implies careful management to prevent waste or damage.

renovation

Suggests improving or restoring something to a better condition.

alimony

Refers specifically to financial support paid after a divorce (UK English).

child support

Specifically financial support for a child.

sustenance

Refers to the means of sustaining life, especially food.

sustainment

Implies providing what is needed for something to continue existing.

FAQs

How is "maintenance" typically used in a sentence?

The word "maintenance" is typically used as a noun to refer to the act of keeping something in good condition. For example, "The building requires regular "maintenance" to prevent deterioration."

What are some synonyms for "maintenance"?

Some synonyms for "maintenance" include "upkeep", "servicing", "preservation", and "conservation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "maintenance" and "repairs"?

"Maintenance" refers to the routine work done to keep something in good working order, preventing problems. "Repairs", on the other hand, are actions taken to fix something that is already broken or damaged. They are related but not interchangeable.

In legal contexts, what does "maintenance" refer to?

In legal contexts, particularly in UK English, "maintenance" can refer to "alimony", which is financial support paid to a former spouse after a divorce, or "child support", which is financial support for a child.