definition of
keep

[1] #1 keep v. [maintain, hold] keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., "keep clean"; "hold in place"; "She always held herself as a lady"; "The students keep me on my toes". wn

[2] #2 keep v. [continue, go on, proceed, go along] continue a certain state, condition, or activity; "Keep on working!"; "We continued to work into the night"; "Keep smiling"; "We went on working until well past midnight". wn

[3] #3 keep v. [hold on] retain possession of; "Can I keep my old stuffed animals?"; "She kept her maiden name after she married". wn

[4] #4 keep v. [prevent] stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state; "We must prevent the cancer from spreading"; "His snoring kept me from falling asleep"; "Keep the child from eating the marbles". wn

[5] #5 keep v. [observe] conform one's action or practice to; "keep appointments"; "she never keeps her promises"; "We kept to the original conditions of the contract". wn