Sustaining
/səˈsteɪnɪŋ/
verbadjectiveB2present participle
Definition
Sustaining is the act of supporting, maintaining, or keeping something alive, strong, or working. It often means helping something continue without stopping or losing strength. It can be used for physical things like energy or food, or abstract things like effort or interest.
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See It in Action
To keep something going or continuing
- •The machine requires fuel for sustaining its operation.
- •The charity is sustaining many families with food and shelter.
- •Good leadership is important for sustaining team motivation.
To provide what is needed to live or exist
- •Plants need water and sunlight for sustaining life.
- •Healthy food is key to sustaining energy during the day.
(Adjective) Describing something that can continue for a long time without failing
- •They focused on a sustaining source of income.
- •The sustaining power of the engine impressed the engineers.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "sustaining" like "keeping" (A1 word), but with more effort to make sure something does not stop or fall apart.
- ✓Picture a small plant growing with water and sunlight every day—this care is sustaining the plant’s life.
- ✓It’s the feeling when you keep going during a long task, like running a race without stopping.
- ✓Sounds like "sus-TAIN-ing" → imagine holding a heavy tray steadily so nothing falls down.
- ✓Think of a mother feeding and caring for her child to keep them healthy and strong.
- ✓NOT like "start" (which begins something), sustaining means continuing something already going.
- ✓NOT like "repair" (which fixes something broken), sustaining is about keeping it working well over time.
- ✓NOT like "support" in a one-time sense, sustaining is ongoing support that lasts.
Try Other Words
- •Maintaining: keeping something in good condition or continuing it (Use when focusing on care or condition)
- •Supporting: helping or holding something up (Use when emphasizing help or assistance)
- •Continuing: going on without stopping (Use when focusing on the action of not stopping)
- •Preserving: protecting something from damage or change (Use when focusing on keeping something safe or unchanged)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "sus-" (under, up from Latin "sub") + "tain" (hold, from Latin "tenere") + "-ing" (present participle suffix)
- •Etymology: From Latin "sustinere" meaning "to hold up, support"
- •Historical development: Originally meant to physically hold or support something; over time, it grew to mean supporting ideas, life, or efforts
- •Modern usage: Used in many contexts, including environmental (sustainable), emotional, physical, and technical support or continuation
Reflect & Connect
•How can you apply the idea of sustaining to your daily habits or routines to improve your life?
•What are some things in your community that need sustaining, and how can people help?
Fill in the blanks
1.The team focused on sustaining ___ through regular training and good nutrition.
2.Without proper care, plants cannot keep ___ their growth and health.
3.She worked hard on sustaining ___ in her studies despite challenges.
4.The company is sustaining its profits by ___ new customers and keeping old ones.
5.Unlike starting a project, sustaining it requires ___ effort and attention every day.
6.A sustaining relationship is one where both people ___ support and trust.
7.When energy levels drop, eating healthy food helps in sustaining ___ for longer activities.