: something that preserves or has the power of preserving
specifically
: an additive used to protect against decay, discoloration, or spoilage
Examples of preservative in a Sentence
Noun
This food does not contain any artificial preservatives.
The wood was treated with preservative.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 1 Dec. 2024
The thimerosal preservative present in some vaccines is metabolized into ethylmercury, and so does not carry the same risk as toxic methylmercury.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
In some cases, food products are treated with a litany of chemical preservatives that can likely be reduced.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preservative 
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Adjective
Kennedy has falsely linked vaccines to numerous health conditions, arguing, for instance, that the mercury-containing vaccine preservative thimerosal causes neurological disorders in children, particularly autism.
—Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 1 Dec. 2024
The thimerosal preservative present in some vaccines is metabolized into ethylmercury, and so does not carry the same risk as toxic methylmercury.
—Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
Many of these brands rely on preservatives and artificial flavorings to achieve their distinctive flavor, but that could be set to change if Kennedy is successful in his nomination to join Trump's cabinet.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
In some cases, food products are treated with a litany of chemical preservatives that can likely be reduced.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preservative
Dictionary Entries Near preservative
Cite this Entry
“Preservative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preservative. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
preservative
1 of 2 adjective
pre·ser·va·tive
pri-ˈzər-vət-iv 
: having the power of preserving
preservative
2 of 2 noun
: something that preserves or has the power of preserving
especially
: a substance added to food to prevent spoiling or discoloring
Medical Definition
preservative
noun
pre·ser·va·tive
pri-ˈzər-vət-iv
: something that preserves or has the power of preserving
specifically
: an additive used to protect against decay, discoloration, or spoilage
a food preservative
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