preservation

[prez-er-vey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or process of keeping something in existence.

   The creation, stabilization, and preservation of quality long-term affordable housing is a critical step in maintaining a healthy community.

2. the act or process of keeping something safe from damage or deterioration.

   The facilities include air-conditioned storage vaults for optimum preservation of the historic film archive.

   The natural growth of population continuously presents problems for the preservation of the environment.

3. the process of preparing food or other perishables to resist spoilage or decomposition.

   Historic techniques of food preservation include drying, smoking, pickling, and salting.

Other Word Forms

• nonpreservation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of preservation¹

First recorded in 1400–50; from Medieval Latin praeservātion-, stem of praeservātio “a guarding,” equivalent to praeservāt-, stem of praeservāre + Latin -iō -ion ( def. ); preserve ( def. )

Example Sentences

Authorities are apathetic to their preservation, so his organisation is engaging directly with people, offering pro-bono repair and restoration consultancies to prevent them from giving away their properties to builders for redevelopment.

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“It’s about preservation, but it’s also about bringing a sense of awe and wonder to the world.”

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Thanks to the frigid Arctic waters, the Terror’s state of preservation shocked its Parks Canada discoverers.

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According to the study, burial sites offer essential information about China's cultural heritage, and the researchers hope their findings will support future preservation efforts.

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One-party rule, courts demoted to advisory status, and the instruments of justice and security re-purposed for political preservation.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• care 
• conservancy 
• conservation 
• safeguarding www.thesaurus.com
• safety 
• security 
• storage