preservation

noun

pres·​er·​va·​tion ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən 

: the act, process, or result of preserving something: such as

a

: the activity or process of keeping something valued alive, intact, or free from damage or decay

preservation of state parks/monuments

preservation of an old tradition

The special emphasis of recent years on preservation continued in 1988. More than 8,000 brittle volumes (1.5 million pages) were committed to microfilm; an additional 777 rare books, manuscripts, and historical films received special conservation treatment.

—Library and Book Trade Almanac

These and so many lesser red flags seem finally to be shifting public interest toward the preservation of wildlife and natural habitats.

—E. Annie Proulx

b

: the preparation of food for future use (as by canning, pickling, or freezing) to prevent spoilage

the use of salt in the preservation of meat

In the years following the first Earth Day in 1970, a contingent of Americans insisted on developing pesticide-free systems of farming and anti-chemical methods of food preservation and preparation.

—Tibbett L. Speer

Synonyms

• care and feeding
• conservation
• conserving
• keep
• maintenance
• preserving
• sustentation
• upkeep

Examples of preservation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Danielle Parker, executive director of the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, said the designation highlights the African American experience in twentieth-century Appalachian coal mines, a story typically underrepresented in national historic preservation efforts. —Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 3 May 2024

One of the letters urging preservation of the Arden Way building came from Adam Arenson, a professor at New York’s Manhattan College who is the preeminent scholar of Sheets’ work — and who has assembled a database of more than 300 buildings with artwork by Sheets’ studio. —Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 2 May 2024

Yet preservation may be vulnerable when selling publicly. —Francesca Mancino, The Atlantic, 2 May 2024

The Central Park Women’s Committee aims to support its preservation and enhancement by raising funds for the several parkwide projects. —Maia Torres, Vogue, 2 May 2024

Little Tokyo is named one of America’s most endangered places by a preservation group. —Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2024

In Texas The first scientific study on the preservation facelift is currently pending publication. —Jolene Edgar, Allure, 1 May 2024

It was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2020. —Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Apr. 2024

Within the institution, successful initiatives have permeated every discipline, and the preservation of institutional memory has set the groundwork for future achievements. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing preservation

• preservation order
• self-preservation
• state of preservation

Kids Definition

preservation

noun

pres·​er·​va·​tion

ˌprez-ər-ˈvā-shən

: a keeping from injury, loss, or decay