1. to support, maintain, or defend an established practice, tradition, or conventional way of doing things
The family is upholding custom by celebrating the holiday in the traditional way.
A família está mantendo a tradição ao celebrar o feriado da forma tradicional.
2. to preserve and continue adherence to social or cultural conventions
She believes in upholding custom even in modern times.
Ela acredita em manter as tradições mesmo nos tempos modernos.