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save

¹

[ seyv ]

/ seɪv /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for save on Thesaurus.com

Definition of save

verb (used with object), saved, sav·ing.

to rescue from danger or possible harm, injury, or loss: to save someone from drowning.

to keep safe, intact, or unhurt; safeguard; preserve: God save the king.

to keep from being lost to an opponent: A goal in the final minute saved the game.

to avoid the spending, consumption, or waste of: to save fuel.

to keep, as for reuse: to save leftovers for tomorrow's dinner.

to set aside, reserve, or lay by: to save money.

to treat carefully in order to reduce wear, fatigue, etc.: to save one's eyes by reading under proper light.

to prevent the occurrence, use, or necessity of; obviate: to come early in order to save waiting.

Theology. to deliver from the power and consequences of sin.

Computers. to copy (a file or other data) to a storage medium, as from RAM to a disk.

Sports. to stop (a ball or puck) from entering one's goal.

verb (used without object), saved, sav·ing.

to lay up money as the result of economy or thrift.

to be economical in expenditure.

to preserve something from harm, injury, loss, etc.

to keep or last without spoiling, as food.

noun

an act or instance of saving, especially in sports: The goalie guarded the net well and made a crucial save.

Baseball. a statistical credit given a relief pitcher for preserving a team's victory by holding its lead in a game.

Computers.

an act of copying a file or other data to a storage medium: The server is scheduled to execute a systemwide save at the end of the work day.
one version of a saved file: We can recover the lost data if we restore it from a previous save.

OTHER WORDS FOR save

6 store up, husband.

12 economize, hoard.

See synonyms for save on Thesaurus.com

VIDEO FOR SAVE

How Does "Save" Have So Many Definitions?

This story about Karen and Karl may just help illustrate that the word "save" can be used in a lot of different ways! In fact, "save" seems to always be here for us when we need it most.

MORE VIDEOS FROM DICTIONARY.COM

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of save

¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English sa(u)ven, from Old French sauver, salver, from Late Latin salvāre “to save”; see origin at safe

OTHER WORDS FROM save

sav·a·ble, save·a·ble, adjectivesav·a·ble·ness, save·a·ble·ness, nounsaver, nounun·sav·a·ble, adjective

un·save·a·ble, adjectiveun·saved, adjective

Words nearby save

Savannakhet, savanna monkey, savant, savarin, savate, save, save-all, save as you earn, saved by the bell, save face, save for a rainy day

Other definitions for save (2 of 3)

save²

[ seyv ]

/ seɪv /

preposition

except; but: All the guests had left save one.

conjunction

except; but (usually followed by that): He would have gone, save that he had no means.

Origin of save

²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English sauue, sauf, save, variant of safe

synonym study for save

1. See except¹.

Other definitions for save (3 of 3)

Save

[ sah-vuh ]

/ ˈsɑ və /

noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

MORE ABOUT SAVE

What is a basic definition of save?

Save means to rescue from danger, to lessen the use of something, or to set something aside for later. Save has many other uses, especially as a verb and a noun.

If you save someone, you prevent them from being harmed or injured. Nonliving things can also be saved from destruction or damage. A person who saves someone or something else can be called a savior.

Real-life examples: Superheroes save the world from supervillains and disasters. Firefighters often save people from burning buildings. A gardener may need to save their plants from hungry animals.
Used in a sentence: We managed to gather support and save the park from being bulldozed.

When you save gas or save time, you are lowering the amount that you usually spend. Things that lower the amount of stuff needed are called savers with another noun describing what is being saved, as in time saver. The noun saving, meaning a reduction, is based on this sense of save.

Real-life examples: Many people want to save money they spend on gas by buying fuel-efficient cars. Using a calculator to solve math problems saves time and stress involved with doing the math in your head. You can save water by turning off the sink while brushing your teeth.
Used in a sentence: I think our country will save money on energy if we switch to solar power.

Save can also mean to keep something for later. For example, many people save money for a special thing they want to buy or so they have some available in case of an emergency. The word savings is used to refer to money saved for future need.

Real-life examples: People often save leftover food to eat later rather than throw it away. Some people save food, water, and other supplies in case of emergencies. Hospitals may save emergency supplies of blood and medicine so they don’t run out.
Used in a sentence: I am saving my funniest jokes for the talent show.

Where does save come from?

The first records of save come from around 1175. It ultimately comes from the Late Latin salvāre, meaning “to save.”

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to save?

saving (noun, present tense verb)
savable (adjective)
saveable (adjective)
saver (noun)
unsaved (adjective)

What are some synonyms for save?

What are some words that share a root or word element with save?

What are some words that often get used in discussing save?

How is save used in real life?

Save is a very common word that often means to rescue or to lessen the use of something.

Ellen Glynn said that the flotation devices she and her cousin Sara were wearing probably saved their lives

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 14, 2020

10-year-old: I figured out how we can save money on gas.

Me: How?

10: Buy a horse

I can already feel the savings.

— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@XplodingUnicorn) May 18, 2020

Bought a small pizza and told myself I would save some for later. Long story short… I ate it all.

— Rachel Egeland (@egelandr) November 29, 2015

Try using save!

True or False?

If a new stove saves you time while cooking, it lowers the amount of time you spend cooking.

How to use save in a sentence

Perhaps a country that’s been through the turmoil of three presidents in a week needs a goalkeeper to make a save.
25 Rising Stars to Track in 2021|Daniel Malloy|December 20, 2020|Ozy
Open up a playlist, click Edit, check the Collaborative box, and Save.
The best way to share playlists on every major platform|David Nield|October 8, 2020|Popular-Science
Even after a site has been migrated, rankings for important pages may fluctuate and search engines may have to index new URLs, so save site migrations and other projects that could affect your visibility and user experience for later.
Holiday shopping SEO: Last-minute tips and techniques for e-commerce sites|George Nguyen|September 18, 2020|Search Engine Land
In the case of 1Password and its browser extension, look for the Save in 1Password button when you’re logging in.
How to get started using a password manager|David Nield|September 8, 2020|Popular-Science

Once created, offering quick access to their list makes it easy to add saved items to their shopping cart for fast checkout.
How retailers can maximize the influx of organic search traffic to PDPs during COVID-19|Shana Pilewski|April 9, 2020|Search Engine Watch
If the world is going to end, why are evangelicals so busy trying to save it?
The Evangelical Apocalypse Is All Your Fault|Jay Michaelson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Mills was lying on the sidewalk, dying, right in front of people trained to save him.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Like background check laws across the country, it will help keep guns out of dangerous hands, reduce gun crime, and save lives.
The NRA’s Twisted List for Santa|John Feinblatt|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We started doing this because we want to save lives,” Jonson says.
'Please Don't Die!': The Frantic Battle to Save Murdered Cops|Michael Daly|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Alexander and Adorno were doing what they could to save the officer on the passenger side, Liu.
'Please Don't Die!': The Frantic Battle to Save Murdered Cops|Michael Daly|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This will often save the foliage from drying up, a happening which makes the plants rather unsightly.
How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin
His hair was darker—almost brown save at the temples, where age had faded it to an ashen colour.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Among the clergy therein he finds no offenses, save that a few have gambled in public; these are promptly disciplined.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
My thought was to keep pushing in troops from "W" Beach until the enemy had fallen back to save themselves from being cut off.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
She reached forward to it in ecstasy; but she might not enjoy it, save at the price which her conscience exacted.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett

British Dictionary definitions for save (1 of 2)

save¹

/ (seɪv) /

verb

(tr) to rescue, preserve, or guard (a person or thing) from danger or harm

to avoid the spending, waste, or loss of (money, possessions, etc)

(tr) to deliver from sin; redeem

(often foll by up) to set aside or reserve (money, goods, etc) for future use

(tr) to treat with care so as to avoid or lessen wear or degenerationuse a good light to save your eyes

(tr) to prevent the necessity for; obviate the trouble ofgood work now will save future revision

(tr) sport to prevent (a goal) by stopping (a struck ball or puck)

(intr) mainly US (of food) to admit of preservation; keep

noun

sport the act of saving a goal

computing an instruction to write information from the memory onto a tape or disk

Derived forms of save

savable or saveable, adjectivesavableness or saveableness, nounsaver, noun

Word Origin for save

C13: from Old French salver, via Late Latin from Latin salvus safe

British Dictionary definitions for save (2 of 2)

save²

/ (seɪv) archaic, or literary /

preposition

Also: saving (often foll by for) with the exception of

conjunction

but; except

Word Origin for save

C13 sauf, from Old French, from Latin salvō, from salvus safe

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with save

save

In addition to the idioms beginning with save

saved by the bell
save face
save for a rainy day
save one's bacon
save one's breath
save the day
save up

also see:

penny saved is a penny earned
rainy day, save for a
scrimp and save
to save one's life

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.