self-preservation

[self-prez-er-vey-shuhn, self-]

noun

1. preservation of oneself from harm or destruction.

self-preservation

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• self-preserving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-preservation¹

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

His decision, she said, is instead an “act of dignity” and “self-preservation.”

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Accusing Rodgers of self-preservation doesn't address the fact that Celtic's team lacks so many things that it once had.

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"What has failed recently was not due to our structure or model but to one individual's desire for self-preservation at the expense of others."

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"One individual's desire for self-preservation at the expense of others," wrote Desmond.

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Characters engaged in the show’s death games are neither entirely heroic nor villainous as they make decisions out of self-preservation that spell doom for their fellow players.

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