preserve

1 of 2

verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

transitive verb

1

: to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction : protect

2

a

: to keep alive, intact, or free from decay

b

: maintain

3

a

: to keep or save from decomposition

b

: to can, pickle, or similarly prepare for future use

4

: to keep up and reserve for personal or special use

intransitive verb

1

: to make preserves

2

: to raise and protect game for purposes of sport

3

: to be able to be preserved (as by canning)

preservability

pri-ˌzər-və-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

preservable

pri-ˈzər-və-bəl 

adjective

preserver

pri-ˈzər-vər 

noun

preserve

2 of 2

noun

1

: fruit canned or made into jams or jellies or cooked whole or in large pieces in a syrup so as to keep its shape

—often used in plural

2

: an area restricted for the protection and preservation of natural resources (such as animals or plants)

a game preserve for regulated hunting or fishing

nature preserves

3

: something regarded as reserved for certain persons

Synonyms

Verb

• conserve
• keep up
• maintain
• save

Examples of preserve in a Sentence

Verb

The fossil was well preserved.

These laws are intended to help preserve our natural resources.

They are fighting to preserve their rights as citizens.

The peaches are preserved in syrup.

Salt can be used to preserve meat.

Noun

a jar of strawberry preserve

Game preserves allow only carefully controlled hunting and fishing.

The military was once an all-male preserve.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Both great powers and smaller states know by now that the best way to deal with Trump is to shower him with pomp and circumstance, abstain from fact-checking him in public, make flashy but token concessions, and remain secure that by and large their core interests will be preserved. —Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024

Jewish pioneers’ history here has been preserved at Leadville’s Temple Israel, built in 1884 for a community that then numbered some 400 and contributed to business and municipal life. —James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024

Noun

Many of the preserves’ hardwood trees, including ancient Chinkapin Oaks, were lost to logging in the late 1800s. —Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024

And in terms of avifauna, the preserve draws birdwatchers in droves thanks to its rich bounty of native species, with striking creatures like the chucao tapaculo, Magellanic woodpecker and chimango caracara all found flitting along the treetops. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Medieval Latin praeservare, from Late Latin, to observe beforehand, from Latin prae- + servare to keep, guard, observe — more at conserve

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing preserve

• game preserve
• nature preserve
• preserve the planet

Kids Definition

preserve

1 of 2 verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

1

: to keep or save from injury, loss, or ruin : protect

preserve the republic

2

: maintain sense 1, continue

preserve silence

3

: to prepare (as vegetables, fruits, or meats) to be kept for future use

preserver noun

preserve

2 of 2 noun

1

: fruit cooked in sugar or made into jams or jellies

strawberry preserves

2

: an area where natural resources (as fish, game, or trees) are protected

Medical Definition

preserve

transitive verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

1

: to keep alive, intact, or free from decay

2

: to keep or save from decomposition

Legal Definition

preserve

transitive verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

1

: to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction

expenses necessary to preserve the property

2

a

: to keep valid, intact, or in existence (as pending a proceeding)

the right of a trial by jury shall be preserved

—U.S. Constitution amend. VII

the dismissal of a chapter 7 case…reinstates certain transfers voided or preserved in the case

—J. H. Williamson

b

: to maintain for use or consideration at a later time especially by keeping a record of

deposed the witness to preserve her testimony

a party has the option of preserving the objection raised

—J. H. Friedenthal et al.

preservation

ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən 

noun