Kept: meaning, definitions and examples

past tense

The word 'kept' is the past tense of 'keep'. It signifies the action of having retained or maintained possession of something over a period of time. This term can pertain to physical objects, ideas, or commitments that have been sustained. In many contexts, 'kept' implies care or attention was given to prevent loss or change. It can also indicate the continued state of being under certain conditions.

held, maintained, preserved, retained, sustained

Examples of usage

• She kept the secret for years.

• He kept his promise to help her.

• They kept the house clean.

• I kept my phone on silent.

• The dog kept barking all night.