kept

[ kept ]

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of keep.

adjective

1. having the expression of principles, ideas, etc., controlled, dominated, or determined by one whose money provides support:

   a kept press;

   a kept writer.

kept

/ kɛpt /

verb

1. the past tense and past participle of keep
2. kept woman pejorative.
   a woman maintained by a man as his mistress

Other Words From

• un·kept adjective
• well-kept adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kept¹

First recorded in 1670–80 kept fordef 2

Example Sentences

In previous years, piecemeal confirmation of the line-up has started in November, but the full rundown is typically kept under wraps until March.

From BBC

But what Jurado kept returning to as we chatted for an hour on Monday was a request she heard from many voters:

From Los Angeles Times

That kept them out of the oversight of city and county agencies whose officials were complicit in the deportations.

From Los Angeles Times

The night before the fire exploded, the eerie howl of the Santa Ana winds kept some awake.

From Los Angeles Times

Fulton plans to play after a hamstring injury kept him out for two games.

From Los Angeles Times