SUSTAIN


Meaning of SUSTAIN in English

/ səˈsteɪn; NAmE / verb [ vn ]

1.

to provide enough of what sb/sth needs in order to live or exist :

Which planets can sustain life?

The love and support of his family sustained him during his time in prison.

2.

to make sth continue for some time without becoming less

SYN maintain :

a period of sustained economic growth

a sustained attack

She managed to sustain everyone's interest until the end of her speech.

3.

( formal ) to experience sth bad

SYN suffer :

to sustain damage / an injury / a defeat

The company sustained losses of millions of dollars.

4.

to provide evidence to support an opinion, a theory, etc.

SYN uphold :

The evidence is not detailed enough to sustain his argument.

5.

( formal ) to support a weight without breaking or falling

SYN bear :

The ice will not sustain your weight.

6.

( law ) to decide that a claim, etc. is valid

SYN uphold :

The court sustained his claim that the contract was illegal.

Objection sustained ! (= said by a judge when a lawyer makes an objection in court)

••

WORD ORIGIN

Middle English : from Old French soustenir , from Latin sustinere , from sub- from below + tenere hold.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.