Definition Definition

sustain - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'sustain' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Sustain [ n.]
- One who, or that which, upholds or sustains; a sustainer.
2 . Sustain [ v. t.]
- To keep from falling; to bear; to uphold; to support; as, a foundation sustains the superstructure; a beast sustains a load; a rope sustains a weight.
- Hence, to keep from sinking, as in despondence, or the like; to support.
- To maintain; to keep alive; to support; to subsist; to nourish; as, provisions to sustain an army.
- To aid, comfort, or relieve; to vindicate.
- To endure without failing or yielding; to bear up under; as, to sustain defeat and disappointment.
- To suffer; to bear; to undergo.
- To allow the prosecution of; to admit as valid; to sanction; to continue; not to dismiss or abate; as, the court sustained the action or suit.
- To prove; to establish by evidence; to corroborate or confirm; to be conclusive of; as, to sustain a charge, an accusation, or a proposition.

Meaning of 'sustain' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . sustain [ v]
Meaning (1):
- undergo (as of injuries and illnesses)
Example in sentence:
  • He got his arm broken in the scuffle;
  • He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars;
  • She got a bruise on her leg;
  • She suffered a fracture in the accident
Meaning (2):
- be the physical support of; carry the weight of
Example in sentence:
  • He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam;
  • The beam holds up the roof;
  • What's holding that mirror?
Meaning (3):
- establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
Example in sentence:
  • his story confirmed my doubts;
  • The evidence supports the defendant
Meaning (4):
- lengthen or extend in duration or space
Example in sentence:
  • keep up the good work;
  • prolong the treatment of the patient;
  • We sustained the diplomatic negotiations as long as possible
Meaning (5):
- supply with necessities and support
Example in sentence:
  • She alone sustained her family;
  • The money will sustain our good cause;
  • There's little to earn and many to keep
Meaning (6):
- admit as valid
Example in sentence:
  • The court sustained the motion
Meaning (7):
- provide with nourishment
Example in sentence:
  • This kind of food is not nourishing for young children;
  • We sustained ourselves on bread and water

Nearby Words:

susceptibilities susceptibility susceptible susception susceptive susceptivity susceptor suscipiency suscipient suscitability

See 'sustain' also in:

Dictionary.com Google Translator Wikipedia.com Merriam Webster

Related Definitions

  • Sustainable Growth Rate
    Sustainable Growth Rate relates to the greatest pace of development that a firm can maintain without finding new financing by stock or debt to fund its expansion.
  • Sustainment, restoration, and modernization
    Sustainment, restoration, and modernization refers to the fuels asset sustainment program within Defense Logistics Agency Energy that provides a ...
  • Sustainment
    Sustainment means the provision of logistics and personnel services, required to maintain and prolong operations until successful mission accomplishment.
  • Sustainable
    Sustainable is the capacity to endure in ecology.
  • Self-sustaining foreign entity
    Self-sustaining foreign entity refers to a category of a foreign subsidiary’s business that operates in the local economic environment independent of the parent company.
  • Sustainability
    Sustainability is a condition in which the economy does not utilize more resources from the natural environment than can be replenished
  • Environmental sustainability
    Environmental sustainability is a management approach that involves developing strategies that both sustain the environment and produce profits for the company.
  • Sustainable marketing
    Sustainable marketing– socially and environmentally responsible marketing that meets the present needs of consumers and business while also preserving or...
  • Sustained growth
    Sustained growth is defined as growth in both revenues and profits over a extended period of time. Evidence shows that relatively few firms generate sustained, profitable growth.
  • Sustainable competitive advantage
    Sustainable competitive advantage is a competitive advantage that is sustainable normally as the result of the unique combination...

Categories

Browse Dictionary