Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of retaining or holding something in one's possession or care: "Keeping" refers to the action or duty of preserving, maintaining, or safeguarding something.
   • The state of being in conformity or harmony with something else: "Keeping" can describe the quality of being consistent, appropriate, or in agreement with a particular standard, style, or occasion.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Act of retaining):
  • The keeping of accurate records is essential for the audit.
  • He was entrusted with the keeping of the family jewels.
• Noun (State of harmony):
  • The modern furniture is not in keeping with the historic character of the house.
  • Her formal attire was in perfect keeping with the solemn ceremony.

Advanced Usage

• "In safe keeping": Being held securely or protected.
  • The original documents are in safe keeping at the bank vault.
• "In/out of keeping with": Consistent (or inconsistent) with; appropriate (or inappropriate) for.
  • His casual remarks were out of keeping with the formal tone of the meeting.

Variants and Related Words

• Keeper (n): A person who manages, guards, or looks after something or someone (e.g., a zookeeper, a goalkeeper).
• Keep (v): The verb form, meaning to retain possession of, to maintain, or to continue.
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Synonyms

• Custody: The protective care or guardianship of something or someone.
• Preservation: The act of maintaining something in its original or existing state.
• Harmony: Agreement or concord; the state of being in keeping.
• Consistency: Conformity in the application of something, achieving harmony.

Related Phrases

• "Keeping up" (phrasal verb from 'keep'): Maintaining the same pace or standard.
  • She is good at keeping up with the latest trends.
• "Keeping to" (phrasal verb from 'keep'): Adhering to or staying within limits.
  • We must keep to the schedule.

Related Idioms

• "Earn one's keep": To deserve the food, money, etc., one receives by working for it.
  • The new intern is really earning her keep with all the extra work she's doing.
• "For keeps": Permanently, forever.
  • When they traded cards, they decided it was for keeps.

Noun

1. the act of retaining something
2. the responsibility of a guardian or keeper
   • he left his car in my keeping
3. conformity or harmony
   • his behavior was not in keeping with the occasion