1. Secure and keep for possible future use or application
   "The landlord kept back the security deposit";
   - retain, hold, hold back
    
2. Hold back; refuse to hand over or share
   "The father is keeping back the allowance until the son cleans his room";
   - withhold
    
3. Prevent the action or expression of
   "she struggled to keep back her impatience at the delays";
   - restrain, keep, hold back

Derived forms: keeps back, keeping back, kept back

See also: hold on

Type of: act, deny, hold on, keep, move, refuse