Sustain

Pronunciation: /səˈsteɪn/

Definitions of sustain

verb to support, uphold, or maintain, especially over a long period of time

Example Sentences

A1 Plants need water to sustain their growth.

A2 It is important to sustain a healthy diet to stay fit.

B1 The company implemented new strategies to sustain its growth in the market.

B2 The government is working on policies to sustain economic development.

C1 Efforts must be made to sustain the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

C2 The organization has a long-term plan to sustain its impact on society.

Examples of sustain in a Sentence

formal It is important for businesses to develop strategies to sustain growth in the long term.

informal I don't know how much longer I can sustain this hectic schedule.

slang I need to find a way to sustain my energy levels during this busy week.

figurative Love is the fuel that helps sustain a healthy relationship.

Grammatical Forms of sustain

• past tense: sustained
• plural: sustains
• comparative: more sustain
• superlative: most sustain
• present tense: sustain
• future tense: will sustain
• perfect tense: have sustained
• continuous tense: is sustaining
• singular: sustainer
• positive degree: sustainable
• infinitive: to sustain
• gerund: sustaining
• participle: sustained

Origin and Evolution of sustain

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'sustain' originated from the Latin word 'sustinere', which is a combination of 'sub-' (from below) and 'tenere' (to hold).

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'sustain' has evolved to not only mean to hold up or support, but also to endure, maintain, or keep in existence.