keep

/ˈkēp/

Middle English kepen, from Old English cēpan; perhaps akin to Old High German chapfēn to look

verb

  1. to retain in one's possession or power

  2. to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing

  3. to have in control

kept the money we found

kept the news back

keep observe celebrate commemorate mean to notice or honor a day, occasion, or deed. keep stresses the idea of not neglecting or violating. observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.

noun

  1. the means or provisions by which one is kept

  2. one that keeps or protects: such as

  3. fortress, castle; specifically : the strongest and securest part of a medieval castle

earned his keep