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maintain

verb [T] (CONTINUE TO HAVE)
 
 
/meɪnˈteɪn/

Definition

B2 to continue to have; to keep in existence, or not allow to become less: The army has been brought in to maintain order in the region. We have standards to maintain. Despite living in different countries, the two families have maintained close links. The film has maintained its position as the critics' favourite for another year.Keeping and storing things
(Definition of maintain verb (CONTINUE TO HAVE) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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