sus ‧ tain W3 AC /səˈsteɪn/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ sustenance , ↑ sustainability ; verb : ↑ sustain ; adjective : ↑ sustainable ≠ ↑ unsustainable ]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: sustenir , from Latin sustinere 'to hold up, sustain' , from sub- 'up' + tenere 'to hold' ]
1 . MAKE SOMETHING CONTINUE to make something continue to exist or happen for a period of time SYN maintain :
She found it difficult to sustain the children’s interest.
He was incapable of sustaining close relationships with women.
the policies necessary to sustain economic growth
⇨ ↑ sustained
2 . SUFFER formal to suffer damage, an injury, or loss of money:
Two of the firefighters sustained serious injuries.
Some nearby buildings sustained minor damage.
The company has sustained heavy financial losses this year.
3 . FOOD/DRINK formal if food or drink sustains a person, animal, or plant, it makes them able to continue living ⇨ sustenance :
They gave me barely enough food to sustain me.
4 . GIVE STRENGTH formal to make someone feel strong and hopeful:
The thought of seeing her again was all that sustained me.
5 . WEIGHT formal to hold up the weight of something SYN support :
He leant against her so heavily that she could barely sustain his weight.
6 . IDEA formal to support an idea or argument, or prove that it is right:
This argument is difficult to sustain.