conserve
Americanverb (used with object)
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conserves,
present (3rd person singular)
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conserved,
past participle, past
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conserving
present participle
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to prevent injury, decay, waste, or loss of.
Conserve your strength for the race.
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to use or manage (natural resources) wisely; preserve; save.
Conserve the woodlands.
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Physics, Chemistry. to hold (a property) constant during an interaction or process.
the interaction conserved linear momentum.
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to preserve (fruit) by cooking with sugar or syrup.
noun
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conserves
plural
verb
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to keep or protect from harm, decay, loss, etc
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to preserve (a foodstuff, esp fruit) with sugar
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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conservernoun
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conservableadjective
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nonconservingadjective
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self-conservingadjective
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unconservedadjective
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unconservingadjective
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well-conservedadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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conservesimple
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conservessimple
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have conservedperfect
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has conservedperfect
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am conservingprogressive
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are conservingprogressive
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is conservingprogressive
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have been conservingperfect progressive
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has been conservingperfect progressive
Past
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conservedsimple
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had conservedperfect
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was conservingprogressive
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were conservingprogressive
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had been conservingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of conserve
First recorded in 1325–75; (for the verb) Middle English, from Latin conservāre “to save, preserve”; equivalent to con- + serve; (for the noun) Middle English, from Middle French conserve, noun derivative of conserver, from Latin, as above
Explanation
To conserve is to save or protect something, like money, or your energy on a long run. People are also encouraged to conserve energy by turning off lights and not cranking the air conditioner. Conserve is from the Latin for "to keep, preserve, guard" (conservare). Con means "together," so "together" we can "serve" the planet by not doing doughnuts in the wetlands on our jet skis. You can conserve the planet or a little something for yourself — you might conserve hot water so you can wash your hair later, or try to conserve your old bedroom when you go off to college (and your mom is ready for a home office).
Vocabulary lists containing conserve
100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
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Physical Science - Energy - Introductory
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Workshop 2, Part 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It is awarded to an individual or group who improve or conserve their local environment.
From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026
A spokesperson said the "minimal intervention" would deliver the maximum benefits for wildlife, and help to conserve the oak for future generations.
From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026
OpenAI’s Greg Brockman and his wife donated $5.5 million to conserve land near famed Big Bear eagles’ nest as Jackie remains in critical care.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
The latest results highlight a pronounced turnaround for Intel, which just two years ago had to suspend its dividend and conduct massive layoffs as it looked to conserve cash.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
I found it preferable to conserve my energy.
From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys
Messi conserves his energy for when it matters.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
"Once you get it moving, it isn't hard at all - people are pulling with one arm. It conserves energy, and it moves really quickly," said Lipo.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2025
Beyond 2023-24, the Kraken limiting Dunn’s deal term hedges bets and conserves future cap space — knowing bigger contracts await Matty Beniers and potentially top draft picks such as Shane Wright and Ryker Evans.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 26, 2023
In contrast, reducing waste generation conserves natural resources and avoids other negative environmental impacts throughout a product's life.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2023
We often dip into it, and the tough ham sausages, the tins of liver sausages, the conserves, the boxes of cigarettes rejoice our hearts.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
“You’ll often read articles about conservation or about art that has been conserved and the name of the conservator is never mentioned.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
If properly conserved, they can last for hundreds of years.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
These compounds are assembled from amino acid building blocks along with a conserved hydroxy acid pharmacophore, all connected through a combination of peptide and ester bonds.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 8, 2026
The discovery shows that even one of biology's most conserved systems can be more flexible than expected.
From Science Daily ● May 7, 2026
And if he’s conserved his energy, like that eagle might conserve for a hunt, this is the time to let it fly.
From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers
A recent survey by Susquehanna Polling and Research found that 77 percent of likely voters believe that "conserving national forests and other roadless lands for current and future generations" is paramount.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
Neither study questions the value of protected areas for conserving biodiversity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
The Trust said the award shows the county's importance in conserving endanged wildlife.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
Jackie and Shadow became internet sensations thanks to the live webcams maintained in their nest by nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley, which is an outspoken voice for conserving eagle habitat.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
To steady the boys, Moch began to chant their newest rowing mantra in time with the stroke—“Save, Save, Save”—reminding them that this was all about conserving power.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
