preserve

[ pri-zurv ]

verb (used with object)

, pre·served, pre·serv·ing.

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, continue, keep up

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)

, pre·served, pre·serv·ing.

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

/ prɪˈzɜːv; ˌprɛzəˈveɪʃən /

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

Derived Forms

• preˈservably, adverb
• preˈserver, noun
• preservation, noun
• preˌservaˈbility, noun
• preˈservable, adjective

Other Words From

• pre·serv·a·ble adjective
• pre·serv·a·bil·i·ty [pri-zur-v, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• pres·er·va·tion [prez-er-, vey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• pre·serv·er noun
• non·pre·serv·a·ble adjective
• un·pre·serv·a·ble 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

Or bold stands that may not preserve our security today or tomorrow, but keep our principles safely intact?

From The Daily Beast

These cases demonstrate how governments struggle to preserve historic sites.

From The Daily Beast

Why do they sincerely try to restore, or preserve, the line between the two, and get heartbroken when the line fails?

From The Daily Beast

It was captioned Preserve Your Forests From Destruction And Protect Your Country From Floods And Drought.

From The Daily Beast

Advocates claimed that it helped to preserve virtue and to affirm the application of Sharia law.

From The Daily Beast

She is skilful in seizing salient characteristics, and her chief aim is to preserve the individuality of her sitters and models.

From Project Gutenberg

If properly dried and pressed, it is possible to preserve the Fern fronds with a great deal of their natural colour.

From Project Gutenberg

The new Government to preserve public order and check all reprisals against the Spaniards.

From Project Gutenberg

To accept so much and still preserve one's self-respect would be impossible to ordinary men under ordinary circumstances.

From Project Gutenberg

Those required to sustain life and preserve decency, besides other things to maintain her in her social condition.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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