self-preservation

[ self-prez-er-vey-shuh n, self- ]

/ ˈsɛlfˌprɛz ərˈveɪ ʃən, ˌsɛlf- /

noun

preservation of oneself from harm or destruction.

Nearby words

self-pollination, self-portrait, self-possessed, self-possession, self-praise, self-preservation, self-pride, self-proclaimed, self-produced, self-professed, self-promotion

Origin of self-preservation

First recorded in 1605–15

Related formsself-pre·serv·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for self-preservation

The cynical will note that fundamentalist charismatics do have some sense of self-preservation.
Bible Passages that Could Get You Killed|Candida Moss|February 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One motivation for Republicans might be self-preservation alone.
Jesus Vs. Tea Party on Immigration|Patricia Murphy|November 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Traditionally, people who make their living giving and taking punches have not paid much heed to the law of self-preservation.
Boxers, Be Brave and Quit Before Your Brain Turns to Mush|Gordon Marino|October 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Could Jagger and the Stones pull off a similar feat of reinvention and self-preservation?
Is Mick Jagger Too Old to Rock?|Andrew Romano|July 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST

It was just another shameful act of self-preservation from a singularly evil man.
You’re Over, Lance Armstrong|Buzz Bissinger|January 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He was not in bad health, he was not lazy, or given to self-preservation, but he had little impulse to activity of any sort.
Thomas Wingfold, Curate|George MacDonald
Self-preservation should not be the object most studied by a party.
The Religion of Politics|Ezra S. Gannett
Ours was the right of self-preservation by superior strength.
North-Pole Voyages|Zachariah Atwell Mudge
"Self-preservation is the first law of nature," quoted the Shaggy Man.
The Emerald City of Oz|L. Frank Baum
The sentiment of self-preservation and the desire of booty kept them constantly on the alert.
Russia|Donald Mackenzie Wallace

British Dictionary definitions for self-preservation

self-preservation

noun

the preservation of oneself from danger or injury, esp as a basic instinct

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

Word Origin and History for self-preservation

self-preservation

1610s, from self- + preservation. First attested in Donne.

self-preservation

noun

RELATED CONTENT

Nearby words

Origin of self-preservation

Examples from the Web for self-preservation

British Dictionary definitions for self-preservation

self-preservation

noun

Word Origin and History for self-preservation

self-preservation