saving

American  

[sey-ving] / ˈseɪ vɪŋ /

adjective

1. tending or serving to save; rescuing; preserving.

2. compensating; redeeming.

   a saving sense of humor.

   Synonyms:

   redemptory

3. thrifty; economical.

   a saving housekeeper.

4. making a reservation.

   a saving clause.

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noun

1. a reduction or lessening of expenditure or outlay.

   a saving of 10 percent.

2. something that is saved.

3. savings, sums of money saved by economy and laid away.

4. Law. a reservation or exception.

preposition

1. except.

   Nothing remains saving these ruins.

2. with all due respect to or for.

   saving your presence.

conjunction

1. except; save.

saving British  

/ ˈseɪvɪŋ /

adjective

1. tending to save or preserve

2. redeeming or compensating (esp in the phrase saving grace )

3. thrifty or economical

4. law denoting or relating to an exception or reservation

   a saving clause in an agreement

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noun

1. preservation or redemption, esp from loss or danger

2. economy or avoidance of waste

3. reduction in cost or expenditure

   a saving of 100 dollars

4. anything saved

5. (plural) money saved for future use

6. law an exception or reservation

preposition

1. with the exception of

conjunction

1. except

Other Word Forms

• nonsaving adjective
• savingly adverb
• unsaving adjective
• unsavingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of saving

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at save ¹, -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Germany is saving its coal and nuclear plants.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Critical Loop’s system switches to on-site batteries and solar during those peak hours, then back to the grid when demand drops, saving the airport millions over years.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

It’s not too late for your boyfriend to start saving for retirement, and now that he is in his 50s, he can even make catch-up contributions.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

But in many cases, saving the children from corruption is more about gatekeeping access to information and platforms that allow young people to express themselves and connect with new communities.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026

As they stepped out onto the observation deck, Brooklyn whispered to Kat, “Thanks for saving me.”

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

Related Words

• preserving