The word "keep" is a verb that means to retain possession of something, to hold onto it, or to make sure it remains in a specified state or condition. It can also refer to the act of guarding, maintaining, or continuing a certain action. For example, you can "keep" your room clean, or "keep" a secret.
The word "keep" comes from the Old English "cepan," which means "to seize, to hold." It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, reflecting a common ancestral root related to holding or possessing.