preserve

[ pri-zurv ]

verb (used with object)

, pre·served, pre·serv·ing.

1. to keep alive or in existence; make lasting:

   to preserve our liberties as free citizens.

   Synonyms: conserve

   Antonyms: destroy

2. to keep safe from harm or injury; protect or spare.

   Synonyms: shield, shelter, safeguard

3. to keep up; maintain:

   to preserve historical monuments.

   Synonyms: sustain, continue, keep up

4. to keep possession of; retain:

   to preserve one's composure.

5. to prepare (food or any perishable substance) so as to resist decomposition or fermentation.
6. to prepare (fruit, vegetables, etc.) by cooking with sugar, pickling, canning, or the like.
7. to maintain and reserve (game, fish, etc.) for continued survival or for private use, as in hunting or fishing.

verb (used without object)

, pre·served, pre·serv·ing.

1. to preserve fruit, vegetables, etc.; make preserves.
2. to maintain a preserve for game or fish, especially for sport.

noun

1. something that preserves.
2. that which is preserved.
3. Usually preserves. fruit, vegetables, etc., prepared by cooking with sugar.
4. a place set apart for protection and propagation of game or fish, especially for sport.

preserve

/ ˌprɛzəˈveɪʃən; prɪˈzɜːv /

verb

1. to keep safe from danger or harm; protect
2. to protect from decay or dissolution; maintain

   to preserve old buildings

3. to maintain possession of; keep up

   to preserve a façade of indifference

4. to prevent from decomposition or chemical change
5. to prepare (food), as by freezing, drying, or salting, so that it will resist decomposition
6. to make preserves of (fruit, etc)
7. to rear and protect (game) in restricted places for hunting or fishing
8. intr to maintain protection and favourable conditions for game in preserves

noun

1. something that preserves or is preserved
2. a special area or domain

   archaeology is the preserve of specialists

3. usually plural fruit, etc, prepared by cooking with sugar
4. areas where game is reared for private hunting or fishing

Derived Forms

• preˈserver, noun
• preˈservably, adverb
• preˌservaˈbility, noun
• preservation, noun
• preˈservable, adjective

Other Words From

• pre·serv·a·ble adjective
• pre·serv·a·bil·i·ty [pri-zur-v, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• pres·er·va·tion [prez-er-, vey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• pre·serv·er noun
• non·pre·serv·a·ble adjective
• un·pre·serv·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preserve¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English preserven, from Medieval Latin praeservāre “to guard” ( Late Latin: “to observe”), equivalent to Latin prae- prefix meaning “before, prior to, in advance” ( pre- ) + servāre “to watch over, keep, preserve, observe”

Word History and Origins

Origin of preserve¹

C14: via Old French, from Late Latin praeservāre literally: to keep safe in advance, from Latin prae- before + servāre to keep safe

Synonym Study

See defend.

Example Sentences

She hoped she could preserve her private life as a student, but that veil couldn’t last.

From Los Angeles Times

Strewn throughout the bone bed are massive relics of something no one can quite identify, a mysterious dinosaur more numerous and better preserved than any other animal.

From Los Angeles Times

“I am calling on the House Ethics Committee to preserve and share their report and all relevant documentation on Mr. Gaetz with the Senate Judiciary Committee,” Durbin wrote.

From Salon

The complete skull has been preserved almost intact, which the study highlights makes it one of the most significant finds of its kind.

From BBC

I get the desire to preserve an ambitious live show for posterity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conserve
• defend
• freeze
• keep
• perpetuate
• protect
• retain
• safeguard
• save
• secure
• store
• sustain
• uphold