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

When Kelly left for Ohio State in February and Foster took over, he kept Malloe in place.

From Los Angeles Times

Catching up recently on three big exhibitions, I kept thinking of Alpers’ incisive essay.

From Los Angeles Times

She now wants to do Pilates after work, and the long hours she spends working and learning legalese have kept her mental faculties in check.

From Los Angeles Times

The Rams’ victory over the New England Patriots last Sunday put them back at .500 and kept alive their playoff chances.

From Los Angeles Times

But because ordinary people showed some spine — and some interest in consuming news about the scandal — the embarrassing details about Gaetz kept coming out.

From Salon