Maintenance vs. Maintain — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 28, 2024
Maintenance is the process of preserving something's condition, while maintain means to keep something in a specific state or condition.
Difference Between Maintenance and Maintain
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Maintenance refers to the actions taken to keep something in good working order or condition, such as regular check-ups and repairs. On the other hand, to maintain something involves actively engaging in these actions to ensure that the object or condition remains as desired over time. For instance, maintenance might involve scheduling and performing regular servicing of a vehicle, while to maintain the vehicle would be to ensure it continues to operate smoothly by attending to these maintenance tasks.
Maintenance often involves a set of planned activities or routines that are followed to prevent degradation or failure. Whereas, to maintain can refer to the ongoing application of these activities as well as efforts to keep a constant state, such as maintaining concentration during a task, showing that it can also apply to non-physical states.
In a business context, maintenance can be a department or role focused on the upkeep of facilities and equipment, indicating a structured approach to preservation. To maintain in this context might involve the specific actions taken by individuals within this department to uphold the operational status of these assets, demonstrating a more active and direct involvement.
The concept of maintenance is typically associated with physical objects, systems, or conditions, implying a focus on material things. However, to maintain can extend beyond the physical, encompassing abstract concepts like relationships or health, indicating a broader application of the term.
While maintenance is often scheduled and systematic, aiming to prevent issues before they occur, maintaining something can sometimes be more reactive, addressing problems as they arise to restore or uphold a desired condition. This highlights a difference in approach between the two concepts.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The process or activities involved in keeping something in good working order.
The act of keeping something in a specific state or condition.
Focus
On planned, routine actions to prevent degradation.
On continuous efforts to uphold a state or condition.
Application
Primarily associated with physical objects or systems.
Can apply to both physical objects and abstract concepts.
Context
Often refers to a department or role within organizations.
Refers to the actions taken by individuals or systems.
Approach
Scheduled and systematic to prevent issues.
Can be both proactive in planning and reactive in response.
Compare with Definitions
Maintenance
The process of keeping something in good condition through regular upkeep.
Regular maintenance of a car can prevent costly repairs.
Maintain
To keep something in a particular state or condition.
To maintain a healthy weight, regular exercise is essential.
Maintenance
Can involve specialized departments or professionals.
The maintenance team is responsible for all equipment upkeep.
Maintain
Requires continuous effort and attention.
She works hard to maintain her garden in pristine condition.
Maintenance
Involves scheduled activities to avoid degradation.
Annual maintenance checks ensure the heating system works efficiently.
Maintain
Often the responsibility of an individual or team.
The manager maintains a high level of productivity among his team.
Maintenance
Often involves specific budgets within organizations.
The company allocates a significant portion of its budget to building maintenance.
Maintain
Applies to both tangible and intangible aspects.
It's important to maintain good relationships with coworkers.
Maintenance
Aims to prolong the life and efficiency of equipment or systems.
Proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of a computer.
Maintain
Can involve both proactive and reactive actions.
He managed to maintain his composure during the stressful meeting.
Maintenance
The process of preserving a condition or situation or the state of being preserved
Crucial conditions for the maintenance of democratic government
Maintain
Cause or enable (a condition or situation) to continue
The need to maintain close links between industry and schools
Maintenance
The provision of financial support for a person's living expenses, or the support so provided
A chance of going to university with fees and maintenance paid
Maintain
Provide with necessities for life or existence
The allowance covers the basic costs of maintaining a child
Maintenance
The offence of aiding a party in a legal action without lawful cause.
Maintain
State something strongly to be the case; assert
He has always maintained his innocence
He had persistently maintained that he would not stand against his old friend
Maintenance
The act of maintaining or the state of being maintained
Nutrients essential to the maintenance of good health.
Maintain
To keep up or carry on; continue
Maintain good relations.
Maintenance
The work of keeping something in proper condition; upkeep
Car maintenance.
Maintain
To keep in an existing state; preserve or retain
Maintain one's composure.
Maintenance
Provision of support or livelihood
Took over the maintenance of her family.
Maintain
To keep in a condition of good repair or efficiency
Maintain two cars.
Maintenance
Means of support or livelihood
Was ordered to pay maintenance for both children.
Maintain
To provide for; support
Maintain a family.
Maintenance
(Law) The wrongful aiding of another in the pursuit or defense of a lawsuit, especially in jurisdictions where nonparties are legally prohibited to provide financial assistance.
Maintain
To keep in existence; sustain
Enough food to maintain life.
Maintenance
Actions performed to keep some machine or system functioning or in service.
Maintain
To defend or hold against criticism or attack
Maintained his stand on taxes.
Maintenance
(legal) A tort and (in some jurisdictions) an offence committed when a third party who does not have a bona fide interest in a lawsuit provides help or acquires an interest to a litigant's lawsuit.
Maintain
To declare to be true; affirm
Maintained her innocence.
Maintenance
Alimony, a periodical payment or a lump sum made or ordered to be made to a spouse after a divorce.
Maintain
To adhere or conform to; keep
Maintain a busy schedule.
Maintenance
(legal) Child support.
Maintain
To support (someone), to back up or assist (someone) in an action.
Maintenance
Money required or spent to provide for the needs of a person or a family.
Maintain
To keep up; to preserve; to uphold (a state, condition etc.).
Maintenance
(biology) The natural process which keeps an organism alive.
Maintain
To declare or affirm (a clause) to be true; to assert.
Maintenance
The act of maintaining; sustenance; support; defense; vindication.
Whatsoever is granted to the church for God's honor and the maintenance of his service, is granted to God.
Maintain
To hold or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; to uphold; to keep up; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain a fence or a railroad; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present reputation.
Maintenance
That which maintains or supports; means of sustenance; supply of necessaries and conveniences.
Those of better fortune not making learning their maintenance.
Maintain
To keep possession of; to hold and defend; not to surrender or relinquish.
God values . . . every one as he maintains his post.
Maintenance
An officious or unlawful intermeddling in a cause depending between others, by assisting either party with money or means to carry it on. See Champerty.
Maintain
To continue; not to suffer to cease or fail.
Maintain talk with the duke.
Maintenance
Those actions required for the care of machinery, a building, etc., to keep it clean and in proper functioning condition, and to prevent or forestall damage due to normal use.
Maintain
To bear the expense of; to support; to keep up; to supply with what is needed.
Glad, by his labor, to maintain his life.
What maintains one vice would bring up two children.
Maintenance
Payments, such as child support or alimony, to a dependent child not living with one or to a divorced wife.
Maintain
To affirm; to support or defend by argument.
It is hard to maintain the truth, but much harder to be maintained by it.
Maintenance
Activity involved in maintaining something in good working order;
He wrote the manual on car care
Maintain
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
Maintenance
Means of maintenance of a family or group
Maintain
Keep in safety and protect from harm, decay, loss, or destruction;
We preserve these archeological findings
The old lady could not keep up the building
Children must be taught to conserve our national heritage
The museum curator conserved the ancient manuscripts
Maintenance
Court-ordered support paid by one spouse to another after they are separated
Maintain
Supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her family
The money will sustain our good cause
There's little to earn and many to keep
Maintenance
The act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence;
They were in want of sustenance
Fishing was their main sustainment
Maintain
State categorically
Maintain
Of power or authority
Maintain
Maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
Maintain
Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes
Maintain
State or assert;
He maintained his innocence
Maintain
Support against an opponent;
The appellate court upheld the verdict
Maintain
Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees
Common Curiosities
How often should maintenance be performed?
The frequency of maintenance depends on the specific requirements of the item or system, ranging from daily to annually.
Can maintenance apply to non-physical things?
While typically associated with physical objects, maintenance can extend to abstract concepts in a broader sense, such as maintaining software.
What roles are involved in maintenance?
Maintenance may involve various roles, including technicians, engineers, and facility managers, depending on the context.
What is the difference between maintenance and maintain?
Maintenance is the process of keeping something in good condition, while to maintain is the act of ensuring something remains in a specific state.
Is it possible to maintain something without regular maintenance?
In some cases, yes, but regular maintenance usually ensures longer-term preservation and efficiency.
Why is maintenance important in businesses?
Maintenance ensures operational efficiency, safety, and longevity of assets, impacting overall business performance.
Can maintenance costs be reduced?
Yes, through efficient planning, preventive measures, and timely actions, maintenance costs can be optimized.
What does it mean to maintain a relationship?
It involves continuous effort to ensure healthy communication, trust, and mutual respect.
Can you maintain your position in a competitive field?
Yes, through continuous improvement, adaptation, and striving for excellence.
How does maintaining health differ from maintaining equipment?
Maintaining health involves personal habits and choices, while maintaining equipment typically requires technical tasks and routines.
Is maintenance always physical?
No, maintenance can also involve software, relationships, and health, among other non-physical aspects.
How can individuals maintain mental health?
Through practices like mindfulness, regular exercise, and seeking professional help when needed.
What impact does maintenance have on safety?
Regular maintenance reduces the risk of accidents and ensures the safe operation of equipment and facilities.
How do digital systems require maintenance?
Digital systems require updates, security checks, and optimization to ensure efficiency and protection against threats.
What's the first step in starting a maintenance program?
Assessing the current condition and requirements of the system or item to be maintained.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
