preservative

[ pri-zur-vuh-tiv ]

noun

1. something that preserves or tends to preserve.
2. a chemical substance used to preserve foods or other organic materials from decomposition or fermentation.

adjective

1. tending to preserve.

preservative

/ prɪˈzɜːvətɪv /

noun

1. something that preserves or tends to preserve, esp a chemical added to foods to inhibit decomposition

adjective

1. tending or intended to preserve

Other Words From

• nonpre·serva·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preservative¹

1350–1400; Middle English (adj. and noun) < Middle French preservatif (adj.) < Medieval Latin praeservātīvus. See preserve, -ative

Example Sentences

It also skips artificial colors, fragrances, and preservatives but still puts a stop to odor.

From Popular-Science

Every preservative used in our products must clear our rigorous safety assessment process.

From The Daily Beast

About 20 years ago, there was a lot of fear of a preservative called thimerosal, which contains mercury.

From FiveThirtyEight

Director Edward Hall and writers Piers Ashworth, Meg Leonard and Nick Moorcroft have taken Coward’s premise and pumped extra sugar into it, as well as some unnecessary preservatives.

From Time

These juices often come with vinegar, salt, and even their own preservatives, which might alter the final texture of your sauce.

From Popular-Science

Thimerosal was dropped as a preservative in MMR vaccines in 1999, but since then autism rates have skyrocketed.

From The Daily Beast

"Doa Estefania, have no fear; you possess an infallible preservative," exclaimed the cappellan.

From Project Gutenberg

It is frequently desirable to detect formalin, which is the most common preservative added to cow's milk.

From Project Gutenberg

I rolled the body of the faithful creature in a kind of preservative earth and then in an outer covering of bark.

From Project Gutenberg

Food which contains this preservative will be so labeled and should not be given to children or people with weak digestion.

From Project Gutenberg

It689 has been highly recommended as a preservative against scarlet fever.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• vinegar