English Explanatory Dictionary

sustain

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To maintain, or keep in existence.
  2. To provide for or nourish.
  3. To encourage or sanction (something).
  4. To experience or suffer (an injury, etc.).
  5. To confirm, prove, or corroborate; to uphold.
  6. To allow, accept, or admit (e.g. an objection or motion) as valid.
  7. To keep from falling; to bear; to uphold; to support.
  8. To aid, comfort, or relieve; to vindicate.
noun
  1. A mechanism which can be used to hold a note, as the right pedal on a piano.
  2. Clipping of sustainability.

Pronunciation

/səˈsteɪn/ en-us-sustain.ogg /səˈstæɪn/

Word forms

sustain sustains sustaining sustained

Etymology

From Middle English susteinen, sustenen, from Old French sustenir (French soutenir), from Latin sustineō, sustinēre (“to uphold”), from sub- (“from below, up”) + teneō (“hold”, verb).

Synonyms

hold

Antonyms

overrule

Derived words

self-sustaining sustainability sustainable sustainedly sustainer sustaining sustaining program sustainment sustainwash sustainwashing
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