Quick Scoop

“Uphold ” means to support, defend, or maintain something. It can also mean a court says a decision is correct and keeps it in place.

Common meanings

  • To support or defend an idea, law, rule, or principle.
  • To keep something going or in good condition.
  • In law, to confirm that a decision or ruling stands.

Simple examples

  • “The school should uphold its rules.”
  • “The court upheld the verdict.”
  • “We should uphold the tradition.”

In plain English

If you “uphold” something, you are saying it should stay respected, supported, or unchanged.

TL;DR: “Uphold” = support, defend, or keep in place; in law, it means to approve a decision so it remains valid.