reserve

[ ri-zurv ]

/ rɪˈzɜrv /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: reserve / re-served / re-serves / re-serving on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), re·served, re·serv·ing.

to keep back or save for future use, disposal, treatment, etc.

to retain or secure by express stipulation.

to set apart for a particular use, purpose, service, etc.: ground reserved for gardening.

to keep for oneself.

to retain (the original color) of a surface, as on a painted ceramic piece.

to save or set aside (a portion of the Eucharistic elements) to be administered, as to the sick, outside of the Mass or communion service.

noun

Finance.

cash, or assets readily convertible into cash, held aside, as by a corporation, bank, state or national government, etc., to meet expected or unexpected demands.
uninvested cash held to comply with legal requirements.

something kept or stored for use or need; stock: a reserve of food.

a resource not normally called upon but available if needed.

a tract of public land set apart for a special purpose: a forest reserve.

an act of reserving; reservation, exception, or qualification: I will do what you ask, but with one reserve.

Military.

a fraction of a military force held in readiness to sustain the attack or defense made by the rest of the force.
the part of a country's fighting force not in active service.
reserves, the enrolled but not regular components of the U.S. Army.

formality and self-restraint in manner and relationship; avoidance of familiarity or intimacy with others: to conduct oneself with reserve.

reticence or silence.

adjective

kept in reserve; forming a reserve: a reserve fund; a reserve supply.

of or relating to the animal awarded second place in livestock shows: the reserve champion steer.

OTHER WORDS FOR reserve

1 husband, hold, store.

8 supply.

14 taciturnity, constraint, coldness.

See synonyms for reserve on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR reserve

1 squander.

13, 14 warmth.

See antonyms for reserve on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Idioms about reserve

in reserve, put aside or withheld for a future need; reserved: money in reserve.

without reserve,

without restraint; frankly; freely.
(of articles at auction) without limitation as to the terms of sale, especially with no stipulated minimum price.

Origin of reserve

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English reserven (verb) from Middle French reserver, from Latin reservāre “to keep back, retain,” equivalent to re- re- + servāre “to save”

synonym study for reserve

1. See keep.

OTHER WORDS FROM reserve

re·serv·a·ble, adjectivere·serve·less, adjectivenon·re·serv·a·ble, adjectivenon·re·serve, noun, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH reserve

re-serve, reserve

Words nearby reserve

resentful, resentment, reserpine, reservation, reservationist, reserve, reserve air, reserve bank, reserve buoyancy, reserve capacity, reserve clause

Other definitions for reserve (2 of 2)

re-serve

[ ree-surv ]

/ riˈsɜrv /

verb (used with or without object), re-served, re-serv·ing.

to serve again.

Origin of re-serve

First recorded in 1865–70; re- + serve

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH re-serve

re-serve , reserve

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use reserve in a sentence

As far as logistics, we reserve two hours in calendars but we try to hit 90 minutes.
Best practices for Zoom board meetings at early-stage startups|Walter Thompson|February 12, 2021|TechCrunch
The difference, Nesbitt said, was that this time the city reserved more than 1,000 of the 2,500 appointments for patients who called to sign up.
South Africa and U.K. coronavirus variants detected in D.C.; Maryland to open third mass vaccination site|Erin Cox, Julie Zauzmer, Rachel Chason|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
In communities with large reserves of social capital, people trust their institutions and their neighbors.
Researchers identify social factors inoculating some communities against coronavirus|Christopher Ingraham|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
The company will likely begin by allowing a limited number of employees to reserve office space if desired.
Publishers look to allay employee fears over a return to the office by offering additional flexibility|Jessica Davies|February 10, 2021|Digiday

Chairlift grazing not only reserves more time for skiing but also can keep you energized throughout the day.
These Are Our Editors' Go-To Ski Lunches|Ula Chrobak|February 9, 2021|Outside Online
We reserve the right to any legal action to prevent new pranks of the kind.
When Countries Lose Their Shit Over American Movies|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Stone, according to Marine officials, served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
Hunt for Iraq Vet After Killing Spree|M.L. Nestel|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The actor and police enthusiast reportedly wants to be a reserve officer.
LAPD Foundation: Mark Wahlberg Would Make a Good Reserve Cop|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some prisons reserve the dayroom or common area for weddings.
Saying Yes to the Dress—Behind Bars|Caitlin Dickson|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Thank you, Federal Reserve for printing all that money for the past half dozen years.
Up to a Point: Thanks to the Biggest Turkey, Uncle Sam|P. J. O’Rourke|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In sorting notes it is necessary to be able readily to distinguish between notes of this bank and notes of other reserve banks.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
The dormant accounts most of the banks maintain with the reserve bank are, perhaps, indicative of their attitude toward it.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
At the reserve bank they may borrow as a standing right and not as a favor which may be cut off.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
She never realized that the reserve of her own character had much, perhaps everything, to do with this.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Customers will do things in the name of the Federal Reserve System which they have never done before.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips

British Dictionary definitions for reserve (1 of 2)

reserve

/ (rɪˈzɜːv) /

verb (tr)

to keep back or set aside, esp for future use or contingency; withhold

to keep for oneself; retainI reserve the right to question these men later

to obtain or secure by advance arrangementI have reserved two tickets for tonight's show

to delay delivery of (a judgment), esp in order to allow time for full consideration of the issues involved

noun

something kept back or set aside, esp for future use or contingency
(as modifier)a reserve stock

the state or condition of being reservedI have plenty in reserve

a tract of land set aside for the protection and conservation of wild animals, flowers, etca nature reserve

Also called: reservation Canadian an area of land set aside, esp (in the US and Canada) for American or Canadian Indian peoples

Australian and NZ an area of publicly owned land set aside for sport, recreation, etc

the act of reserving; reservation

a member of a team who only plays if a playing member drops out; a substitute

(often plural)

a part of an army or formation not committed to immediate action in a military engagement
that part of a nation's armed services not in active service

coolness or formality of manner; restraint, silence, or reticence

finance

a portion of capital not invested (a capital reserve) or a portion of profits not distributed (a revenue or general reserve) by a bank or business enterprise and held to meet legal requirements, future liabilities, or contingencies
(often plural) liquid assets held by an organization, government, etc, to meet expenses and liabilities

without reserve without reservations; fully; wholeheartedly

Derived forms of reserve

reservable, adjectivereserver, noun

Word Origin for reserve

C14: from Old French reserver, from Latin reservāre to save up, from re- + servāre to keep

British Dictionary definitions for reserve (2 of 2)

re-serve

/ (riːˈsɜːv) /

verb

(tr) to serve again

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for reserve

reserve

[ rĭ-zûrv′ ]

To keep back, as for future use or for a special purpose.

To set or cause to be set apart for a particular person or use.

Something kept back or saved for future use or a special purpose.

adj.

Held back, set aside, or saved.

Forming a reserve.

reserve

OTHER WORDS FOR reserve

OPPOSITES FOR reserve

Idioms about reserve

Origin of reserve

synonym study for reserve

OTHER WORDS FROM reserve

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH reserve

Words nearby reserve

Other definitions for reserve (2 of 2)

Origin of re-serve

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH re-serve

Words related to reserve

How to use reserve in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for reserve (1 of 2)

Derived forms of reserve

Word Origin for reserve

British Dictionary definitions for reserve (2 of 2)

Medical definitions for reserve