: 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
Sara Dorn, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
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
Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025
Ultra-processed: These foods are processed but contain additional ingredients like artificial colors, flavors, additives, and preservatives for texture and shelf life.
—Korin Miller, Health, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for preservative 
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Adjective
Kennedy has a long history of promoting conspiracies about childhood vaccines, including the theory that the preservative thimerosal—which has been phased out of most modern vaccine formulas—is linked to autism, a claim that’s been thoroughly discredited by medical studies.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
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
Noun
But beyond that, the filling of a gourmet or fine chocolate usually leaves out preservatives and artificial flavors, instead using natural ingredients.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025
Ultra-processed: These foods are processed but contain additional ingredients like artificial colors, flavors, additives, and preservatives for texture and shelf life.
—Korin Miller, Health, 7 Feb. 2025
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 Feb. 2025.
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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