n.

1. the financial means whereby one lives;
   support, livelihood, living, bread and butter, sustenance
   
   • each child was expected to pay for their keep
   • he applied to the state for support
   • he could no longer earn his own livelihood
2. the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress;
   donjon, dungeon
3. a cell in a jail or prison;
   hold

v.

1. keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean";
   maintain, hold
   
   • hold in place
   • She always held herself as a lady
   • The students keep me on my toes
2. continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
   continue, go on, proceed, go along
   
   • Keep on working!
   • We continued to work into the night
   • Keep smiling
   • We went on working until well past midnight
3. retain possession of;
   hold on
   
   • Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
   • She kept her maiden name after she married
4. prevent from doing something or being in a certain state;
   prevent
   
   • We must prevent the cancer from spreading
   • His snoring kept me from falling asleep
   • Keep the child from eating the marbles
5. conform one's action or practice to;
   observe
   
   • keep appointments
   • she never keeps her promises
   • We kept to the original conditions of the contract
6. observe correctly or closely;
   observe, maintain
   
   • The pianist kept time with the metronome
   • keep count
   • I cannot keep track of all my employees
7. look after; be the keeper of; have charge of
   
   • He keeps the shop when I am gone
8. maintain by writing regular records;
   maintain
   
   • keep a diary
   • maintain a record
   • keep notes
9. supply with room and board
   
   • He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
   • keep boarders
10. allow to remain in a place or position;
    retain, continue, keep on, keep going
    
    • We cannot continue several servants any longer
    • She retains a lawyer
    • The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
    • Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
    • We kept the work going as long as we could
11. supply with necessities and support;
    sustain, maintain
    
    • She alone sustained her family
    • The money will sustain our good cause
    • There's little to earn and many to keep
12. fail to spoil or rot;
    stay fresh
    
    • These potatoes keep for a long time
13. celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
    observe, celebrate
    
    • Keep the commandments
    • celebrate Christmas
    • Observe Yom Kippur
14. keep under control; keep in check;
    restrain, suppress, keep back, hold back
    
    • suppress a smile
    • Keep your temper
    • keep your cool
15. maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger;
    preserve
    
    • May God keep you
16. raise
    
    • She keeps a few chickens in the yard
    • he keeps bees
17. retain rights to;
    keep open, hold open, save
    
    • keep my job for me while I give birth
    • keep my seat, please
    • keep open the possibility of a merger
18. store or keep customarily
    
    • Where do you keep your gardening tools?
19. have as a supply
    
    • I always keep batteries in the freezer
    • keep food for a week in the pantry
    • She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator
20. maintain for use and service;
    maintain
    
    • I keep a car in the countryside
    • She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
21. hold and prevent from leaving
    
    • The student was kept after school
22. prevent  (food) from rotting;
    preserve
    
    • preserved meats
    • keep potatoes fresh