preserve
verb (used with object)
to keep alive or in existence; make lasting.
had preserved
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past perfectof preserve.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
Kevin had preserved enough savings to hire a private investigator, John Powers of Hudson Intelligence, to follow the financial trail.
From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2025
They had preserved roughly $2.5 million to that point of the year, but only three other clubs even had $1 million remaining, according to the Associated Press.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 18, 2025
The sticky birch tar plug and waterlogged soil had preserved the bone container and its contents over the centuries.
From Science Magazine ● Feb. 7, 2024
The Walcott-Rust fossils, however, had preserved ventral structures including the sternites and limbs.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 21, 2023
The practice had preserved peace for two hundred years.
From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine
