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- DictionarySus·tain/səˈstān/
verb
- 1. strengthen or support physically or mentally: "this thought had sustained him throughout the years"
- 2. undergo or suffer (something unpleasant, especially an injury): "he died after sustaining severe head injuries"
noun
- 1. an effect or facility on a keyboard or electronic instrument whereby a note can be sustained after the key is released.
Learn the various meanings and uses of the word sustain, from giving support or relief to nourishing or prolonging. See synonyms, examples, word history, and legal and kids definitions of sustain.
To sustain a claim or an idea is to uphold it as valid, just or correct. How does sustain differ from the synonyms maintain, support, or uphold? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Learn the meaning of sustain as a verb and a noun in English, with synonyms, antonyms, and usage examples. Find out how to pronounce sustain and how to use it in different contexts.
Sustain means to support something or keep it going. If you get hungry in the mid-afternoon, you might try snacking to sustain your energy through dinner. Beams and rafters sustain a roof — they keep it up.
- sustain somebody/something to provide enough of what somebody/something needs in order to live or exist. Which planets can sustain life? I only had a little chocolate to sustain me on my walk.
- sustain something to make something continue for some time without becoming less synonym maintain. She managed to sustain everyone's interest until the end of her speech.
- sustain something (formal) to experience something bad synonym suffer. to sustain damage/an injury/a defeat. The company sustained losses of millions of dollars.
- sustain something to provide evidence to support an opinion, a theory, etc. synonym uphold. The evidence is not detailed enough to sustain his argument. Topics Opinion and argument c2.
to make or allow something to continue for a period of time: The board accepted that the growth rates could not be sustained indefinitely. to experience loss, injury, or damage: As a result of the oil spill, BP sustained heavy losses. The port sustained severe damage in the storm.
Sustain means to keep in existence, maintain, continue, or prolong something or someone. It can also mean to support from below, withstand, affirm, or provide for. See different sources and examples of sustain.
