preservative

American  

[pri-zur-vuh-tiv] / prɪˈzɜr və tɪv /

noun

• preservatives
  plural

1. something that preserves or tends to preserve.

2. a chemical substance used to preserve foods or other organic materials from decomposition or fermentation.

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adjective

1. tending to preserve.

preservative British  

/ prɪˈzɜːvətɪv /

noun

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

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adjective

1. tending or intended to preserve

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonpreservative
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• preservatives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of preservative

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

Explanation

Anything that's preservative keeps things alive, healthy, or fresh. Some cooks swear by the preservative powers of lemon juice, which can keep fruit tasting fresh and save avocado slices from turning brown. Use preservative as an adjective — or a noun, for a chemical or other substance that keeps something from dying or breaking down. Food preservatives are sometimes added to make edible things last longer, and to items like medication and cosmetics, so they don't decay before you've finished using them. Preservative followed the verb preserve, which in the fourteenth century meant "to keep something safe."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

preservative preservatives

In 1941, the company purchased distilling facilities in Virginia and Lyons, N.Y., to increase production, then during the war it made pectin, a vital preservative used in military food rations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 10, 2026

Both shoppers say they prefer to buy foods that are preservative free when possible.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026

Their goal was to determine whether exposure to specific preservative food additives was associated with cancer risk in adults.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 27, 2026

However, direct evidence linking preservative intake to type 2 diabetes in large human populations has been limited until now.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 9, 2026

Entomology smells like mothballs and oil: a preservative that, Dr. Geffard explains, is called naphthalene.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Rivelino Rodriguez, chef lecturer at The Guernsey Institute, said the project was designed to give parents "inspiration for cheap adaptable meals that taste good without all the additives and preservatives found in ready-made foods".

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

People who regularly consume foods containing common preservatives may face a greater risk of developing high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, according to a new study published in the European Heart Journal.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 18, 2026

Antioxidant preservatives serve a different purpose, helping to prevent oxidation so foods do not become brown or rancid.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 18, 2026

The big-box warehouse club also said it removed “statements concerning preservatives from the signs and on-line presentations” in an effort to “maintain consistency.”

From Salon ● Jun. 17, 2026

It is free of pitch or sap, but its fibers contain chemicals called thujaplicins that act as natural preservatives, making it highly resistant to rot while at the same time lending it its lovely scent.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Related Words

• vinegar