conserve

American  

[kuhn-surv, kon-surv, kuhn-surv] / kənˈsɜrv, ˈkɒn sɜrv, kənˈsɜrv /

verb (used with object)

conserved, conserving

1. to prevent injury, decay, waste, or loss of.

   Conserve your strength for the race.

2. to use or manage (natural resources) wisely; preserve; save.

   Conserve the woodlands.

   Synonyms:

   safeguard, husband

3. Physics, Chemistry. to hold (a property) constant during an interaction or process.

   the interaction conserved linear momentum.

4. to preserve (fruit) by cooking with sugar or syrup.

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noun

1. Often conserves. a mixture of several fruits cooked to jamlike consistency with sugar and often garnished with nuts and raisins.

conserve British  

verb

1. to keep or protect from harm, decay, loss, etc

2. to preserve (a foodstuff, esp fruit) with sugar

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noun

1. a preparation of fruit in sugar, similar to jam but usually containing whole pieces of fruit

Other Word Forms

• conservable
  adjective
• conserver
  noun
• nonconserving
  adjective
• self-conserving
  adjective
• unconserved
  adjective
• unconserving
  adjective
• well-conserved
  adjective

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).

Example Sentences

Also, the energy shock unleashed by the conflict has already prompted parts of Asia and the Middle East to limit air conditioning as a way to conserve energy.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026

The BTG Pactual TIG-Conservation International strategy seeks to conserve, restore and reforest about 660,000 acres of degraded land, an area more than twice the size of New York City.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Was there any evidence that bat bridges would conserve bats?

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency secretary, said Wednesday’s announcement builds on California’s 30x30 plan, which seeks to conserve 30% of the state’s land and coastal waters by the end of the decade.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

His blood stops flowing to his fingers and toes, his hands and feet, his arms and legs, to conserve blood for the heart and brain.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Related Words

• hoard
• maintain
• preserve
• safeguard
• sustain
• take care of