# sustain

> English word · Verb · IPA /səˈsteɪn/ · frequency rank #7,987

## Definitions
1. To maintain, or keep in existence.
2. To provide for or nourish.
3. To encourage or sanction (something).
4. To experience or suffer (an injury, etc.).
5. To confirm, prove, or corroborate; to uphold.
6. To allow, accept, or admit (e.g. an objection or motion) as valid.
7. To keep from falling; to bear; to uphold; to support.
8. To aid, comfort, or relieve; to vindicate.

## Etymology
From Middle English susteinen, sustenen, from Old French sustenir (French soutenir), from Latin sustineō, sustinēre (“to uphold”), from sub- (“from below, up”) + teneō (“hold”, verb).

## Easily confused with
- **sustained** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sustain-vs-sustained)
- **Susan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/susan-vs-sustain)
- **stain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/stain-vs-sustain)
- **sultan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sultan-vs-sustain)

## Common misspellings (10)
`ssustain`, `ssutain`, `susatin`, `susstain`, `sustainn`, `sustani`, `sustian`, `susttain`, `sutsain`, `usstain`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/sustain