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Meaning of sustain | Babel Free

Noun CEFR C2 Standard
səˈsteɪn

Definitions

  1. A mechanism which can be used to hold a note, as the right pedal on a piano.
  2. To maintain, or keep in existence
  3. A capacity of a musical instrument to continue the resounding of a note or tone.
  4. To provide for or nourish
  5. sostener, mantener; [a wound] sufrir una herida.
  6. To encourage or sanction (something). (The addition of quotations indicative of this usage is being sought:)
  7. To keep in existence; maintain, continue, or prolong: sustain an effort.
  8. To experience or suffer (an injury, etc.)
  9. To supply with necessities or nourishment; provide for: the income needed to sustain a family.
  10. To confirm, prove, or corroborate; to uphold
  11. To support from below; keep from falling or sinking; prop: The beams sustain the weight of the roof.
  12. To bear up under; withstand: can't sustain the blistering heat.
  13. To affirm the validity of: The judge has sustained the prosecutor's objection.
  14. to hold up under; withstand: to sustain great provocation.
  15. to undergo (an injury, loss, etc); suffer: to sustain a broken arm.
  16. to maintain or prolong: to sustain a discussion.

Equivalents

Examples

“To call this music bland is to ignore the down-the-drain vocal fade-aways, the extended sax sustains […]”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

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