reservation

[ rez-er-vey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of keeping back, withholding, or setting apart.
2. the act of making an exception or qualification.
3. an exception or qualification made expressly or tacitly:

   to accept something, but with inner reservations.

4. a tract of public land set apart for a special purpose, as for the use of an Indian tribe.
5. an arrangement to secure accommodations at a restaurant or hotel, on a boat or plane, etc.
6. the record kept or assurance given of such an arrangement:

   Sorry, the hotel has no reservation under that name.

reservation

/ ˌrɛzəˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of reserving
2. something reserved, esp hotel accommodation, a seat on an aeroplane, in a theatre, etc
3. often plural a stated or unstated qualification of opinion that prevents one's wholehearted acceptance of a proposal, claim, statement, etc
4. an area of land set aside, esp (in the US) for American Indian peoples
5. the strip of land between the two carriageways of a dual carriageway
6. the act or process of keeping back, esp for oneself; withholding
7. law a right or interest retained by the grantor in property granted, conveyed, leased, etc, to another

   a reservation of rent

Other Words From

• nonres·er·vation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reservation¹

1350–1400; Middle English reservacioun < Middle French reservation, equivalent to reserv ( er ) to reserve + -ation -ation

Example Sentences

But Mr. Griffin, one of the five largest donors to the Republican Party this last campaign cycle, just behind Mr. Musk, had his reservations about Mr. Musk’s new role aimed at curbing excess government spending.

From New York Times

Despite White's reservations, Pereira's popularity with fans and the stakes of the contest - Jones' undefeated streak versus Pereira's attempt at winning three belts - mean it's not a bout many would be opposed to.

From BBC

But the new Mauritian prime minister has said he has reservations over the deal, which was struck by his predecessor and has still to be signed, and has asked for an independent review.

From BBC

“We have bought the Indians into moving, we have harassed them into moving, we have fought them into moving, and we have imprisoned them upon reservations.”

From Los Angeles Times

While voting for the study, Supervisor Janice Hahn expressed her own reservations and pressed the county’s chief executive to provide pros and cons in the report back and not treat it like a “done deal.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• doubt
• restriction
• skepticism