preservation
Americannoun
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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.
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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.
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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
Etymology
Origin of preservation
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Today it is in the Library of Congress, with its bottom third torn off, demonstrating that the first copies of the Declaration were made for immediate use rather than historic preservation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
At that time, preservation advocates were renewing efforts to raise funds for what was then estimated to be a $11.8-million restoration.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
On Thursday, he issued a highly unusual document preservation order in light of the department’s confession.
From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026
This can be a highly effective asset preservation strategy, according to The Karp Law Firm, which has offices in Florida.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026
Rage blazed up in him often, but its atoms were too active for preservation and its life span was brief like the kick and the flame of an afterburner in his father’s F-8.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
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.
