routine service and upkeep performed to avoid development of future problems. failure or breakdowns.

Mechanical repair
Field repair of aircraft engine (1915–1916)

The technical meaning of maintenance involves functional checks, servicing, repairing or replacing of necessary devices, equipment, machinery, building infrastructure, and supporting utilities in industrial, business, governmental, and residential installations. Over time, this has come to include multiple wordings that describe various cost-effective practices to keep equipment operational; these activities take place either before or after a failure. Together, these functions are referred to as Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). MRO is also used for Maintenance, repair and operations.

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