/ ˈmeɪntənəns; NAmE / noun [ U ]
1.
maintenance (of sth) the act of keeping sth in good condition by checking or repairing it regularly :
The school pays for heating and the maintenance of the buildings.
car maintenance
2.
maintenance (of sth) the act of making a state or situation continue :
the maintenance of international peace
3.
( BrE , law ) money that sb must pay regularly to their former wife, husband or partner, especially when they have had children together :
He has to pay maintenance to his ex-wife.
child maintenance
a maintenance order (= given by a court of law)
—see also alimony
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense aiding a party in a legal action without lawful cause ): from Old French , from maintenir , from Latin manu tenere hold in the hand.