preserve

[pri-zurv]

verb (used with object)

preserved, preserving 

1. to keep alive or in existence; make lasting.

   to preserve our liberties as free citizens.

   Synonyms: conserve
   Antonyms: destroy

2. to keep safe from harm or injury; protect or spare.

   Synonyms: shield, shelter, safeguard

3. to keep up; maintain.

   to preserve historical monuments.

   Synonyms: sustain, keep up, continue

4. to keep possession of; retain.

   to preserve one's composure.

5. to prepare (food or any perishable substance) so as to resist decomposition or fermentation.

6. to prepare (fruit, vegetables, etc.) by cooking with sugar, pickling, canning, or the like.

7. to maintain and reserve (game, fish, etc.) for continued survival or for private use, as in hunting or fishing.

verb (used without object)

preserved, preserving 

1. to preserve fruit, vegetables, etc.; make preserves.

2. to maintain a preserve for game or fish, especially for sport.

noun

1. something that preserves.

2. that which is preserved.

3. Usually preserves. fruit, vegetables, etc., prepared by cooking with sugar.

4. a place set apart for protection and propagation of game or fish, especially for sport.

preserve

/ ˌprɛzəˈveɪʃən, prɪˈzɜːv /

verb

1. to keep safe from danger or harm; protect

2. to protect from decay or dissolution; maintain

   to preserve old buildings

3. to maintain possession of; keep up

   to preserve a façade of indifference

4. to prevent from decomposition or chemical change

5. to prepare (food), as by freezing, drying, or salting, so that it will resist decomposition

6. to make preserves of (fruit, etc)

7. to rear and protect (game) in restricted places for hunting or fishing

8. (intr) to maintain protection and favourable conditions for game in preserves

noun

1. something that preserves or is preserved

2. a special area or domain

   archaeology is the preserve of specialists

3. (usually plural) fruit, etc, prepared by cooking with sugar

4. areas where game is reared for private hunting or fishing

Other Word Forms

• preserver noun
• preservably adverb
• preservability noun
• preservation noun
• preservable adjective
• nonpreservable adjective
• unpreservable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preserve¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English preserven, from Medieval Latin praeservāre “to guard” ( Late Latin: “to observe”), equivalent to Latin prae- prefix meaning “before, prior to, in advance” ( pre- ) + servāre “to watch over, keep, preserve, observe”

Word History and Origins

Origin of preserve¹

C14: via Old French, from Late Latin praeservāre literally: to keep safe in advance, from Latin prae- before + servāre to keep safe

Synonym Study

See defend.

Example Sentences

Most recently, Saint Heron launched a free library in hopes of preserving rare Black and brown literature and making it accessible to others.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hyperpartisanship has vitiated Madison’s expectation that legislators would recognize the importance of preserving their institution’s independence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Boeing’s commitments will preserve competition in this crucial market and enable the entry of a new rival, and ensure commercial aircraft makers get the parts they need at competitive prices,” Ribera said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I flirted briefly with making yogurt in my rice cooker before deciding to preserve a shred of sanity, only to immediately sacrifice it again by adding biscuits and sausage gravy.

Read more on Salon

We need to fight to preserve our right to see history clearly, without superpatriotic blinders.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• conserve 
• defend 
• freeze 
• keep 
• perpetuate 
• protect 
• retain 
• safeguard 
• save 
• secure 
• store 
• sustain 
• uphold