Sustain
To provide support or nourishment; to keep something going over time; to endure or undergo under challenging conditions.
verbSustain
To provide support or nourishment; to keep something going over time; to endure or undergo under challenging conditions.
verbImagine This
Picture a sturdy bridge that must sustain daily traffic; engineers reinforce it to keep cars crossing safely for decades.
Sounds Like
suh-STAIN (rhymes with retain)
Looks Like
Contains the root 'tain' as in 'retain' and resembles 'maintain'.
Remember This
Sustain comes from Latin sustinere 'to hold up', via Old French sustenir; related forms include sustainment and sustainable growth.
Other Forms
Connect With
maintain, uphold, support, endure, persevere
Note
Sustain implies continuing support or endurance, often under strain, whereas maintain can imply keeping something in good condition without necessarily under pressure. It is typically a transitive verb (you sustain something).