maintain/menˋten; meInˈteIn/v [T]1 to make something continue in the same way or at the same standard as before 维持﹔保持: We need to maintain good relations with our customers. 我们要与客户保持良好的关系。It is important to maintain a reasonable level of fitness. 保持适当的健康水平很重要。2 to keep something in good condition by taking care of it 维护﹐养护﹐保养: It costs a lot of money to maintain a big house. 保养一座大房子需要很多钱。3 to say that you are sure that something is true 坚称﹐坚持认为: +that She always maintained that her son was alive. 她一直坚持儿子没有死。He has always maintained his innocence (=said that he is innocent). 他一直坚持自己是清白的。