save
verb (used with object)
to rescue from danger or possible harm, injury, or loss.
had been saving
-
past perfect progressiveof save.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Planning to pay off their mortgage early, Edwards and his wife had been saving in a money-market account.
From MarketWatch ● May 15, 2026
His uncle said Shrestha had been saving up to rebuild his parents' home after it had been damaged in an earthquake in 2015 that killed hundreds.
From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026
While the majority of millionaires were older workers who had been saving for a long time, a total of 4% of the retirement-account millionaires were millennials, who are those born between 1981 and 1996.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 4, 2026
These account holders were mostly Generation X members and baby boomers who had been saving for roughly 25 years, according to Fidelity vice president of thought leadership Mike Shamrell.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 7, 2026
He knew Aunt Queen had been saving this for his birthday surprise, and he knew that she had put money aside for months to get such a fine bike.
From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper
