maintenance
/ˈmeɪntənəns; `mentənəns/ n[U]
1 maintaining or being maintained 保持; 维持; 赡养; 保养; 维修; 坚持
the maintenance of good relations between countries 保持国与国之间的友好关系
price maintenance 保持价格不变
money for the maintenance of one's family 养家的钱
He's taking classes in car maintenance. 他正在上汽车维修课.
[attrib 作定语]
a maintenance man, gang, van 维修工人、 队、 车.
2 (law 律) money that one is legally required to pay to support sb （根据法律须付的）赡养费, 扶养费
He has to pay maintenance to his ex-wife. 他必须负担前妻的生活费用. Cf 参看 alimony.