kept

American  

[kept] / kɛpt /

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of keep.

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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 British  

/ kɛpt /

verb

1. the past tense and past participle of keep

2. pejorative a woman maintained by a man as his mistress

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Other Word Forms

• unkept adjective
• well-kept adjective

Etymology

Origin of kept

First recorded in 1670–80 kept for def. 2

Example Sentences

The tests kept coming in the month of March for the Lakers and they responded with the same resounding answer: We’re ready.

From Los Angeles Times

“I guess that’s why my mom always kept score and now I do to.”

From Los Angeles Times

He added that support for households would be kept under review but "a lot will depend on how long the conflict goes on" and how quickly the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened.

From BBC

The company which manages the site said that excavation would be kept to a minimum by using areas with existing construction.

From BBC

Neither the AI-pocalypse nor an energy crisis kept companies from agreeing to buy one another at a record clip during the first quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal