Also means
to maintain
Usage Note
Sostener is conjugated like tener (irregular): sostengo, sostienes… It covers physical holding (sostener una vela = to hold a candle) and figurative support or maintenance (sostener una teoría = to maintain an argument). The related adjective sostenible means 'sustainable,' widely used in environmental discourse.
Examples
"Sostuvo la puerta para que entráramos."
Natural Translation
He held the door so we could enter.

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