upkeep

Plural: upkeeps

Noun

• The cost or act of maintaining something in good condition.
• activity involved in maintaining something in good working order
• the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence
• Maintenance; the act or effort of keeping something in good and working condition.

Verb

• To maintain (something) or keep it in good repair.

Examples

• Do you know how to upkeep a boat?
• I would enjoy having a swimming pool, but I don't want to deal with the upkeep.
• The UPKEEP of a large vocabulary is essential for consistent Scrabble victories.

Synonyms

care, maintenance, sustainment, sustenance, sustentation