Sustains, spelled /səˈsteɪnz/ in phonetic transcription, is a verb that means to maintain or support. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, which is the unstressed vowel sound commonly found in English. The "s" and "t" sounds are pronounced separately, followed by a long "a" sound. The final syllable is pronounced with a soft "n" sound and a "z" sound. To spell this word correctly, remember to include the silent "i" between the "t" and "a".
Sustains is a verb that refers to the act of maintaining, supporting, or upholding something. It can be used in various contexts and has multiple meanings.
In general, sustain means to keep something in existence or to prevent it from falling or collapsing. It implies the act of providing continuous support, strength, or nourishment to promote the stability or longevity of an entity, whether it is a physical structure, an idea, an organization, or a living being.
In a physical sense, sustain can mean to bear the weight or pressure of something without giving way, such as when a bridge sustains the weight of vehicles passing over it. Furthermore, it can denote the ability of one's body or mind to endure or cope with physical or emotional strain, as in the phrase "She sustained a long and grueling workout." Sustaining can also apply to the conservation of natural resources or the preservation of the environment to ensure the continuation of a healthy planet.
Additionally, sustain can describe the act of supporting or maintaining belief in an idea, such as sustaining a theory or a hypothesis. It can also involve maintaining or enduring a particular condition, state, or relationship, as in the case of sustaining a friendship or a marriage.
In summary, sustains encompasses the actions of maintaining, supporting, upholding, or enduring, with applications ranging from physical endurance to the preservation of ideas, resources, relationships, and more.
The word sustains is derived from the Latin word sustineo. It is a combination of the prefix sub- meaning under or uphold, and the verb teneo meaning to hold. Hence, sustineo literally translates to to hold up or to uphold. Over time, this Latin term evolved into Old French as sostenir and entered Middle English as sustenen. Eventually, it developed into the modern English word sustain, which means to support, maintain, or endure. The term sustains is the third person singular form of the verb sustain.