self-preservation

noun

self-pres·​er·​va·​tion ˌself-ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən 

1

: preservation of oneself from destruction or harm

2

: a natural or instinctive tendency to act so as to preserve one's own existence

Examples of self-preservation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the most popular examples of this entails AI self-preservation. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

The situation is now so delicate and tenuous that any manager with an interest in self-preservation would surely be trying to keep the fans onside. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

From spiritual awakenings to explosive confrontations, Season 12 will go deeper into the lives of these women, sharing their stories, and the delicate balance between loyalty and self-preservation. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 3 Apr. 2025

The line between sufficient self-preservation and excessive vigilance is thin and our own miscalculations on what actually constitutes a risk may only muddy the waters. —Allie Volpe, Vox, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for self-preservation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

self-preservation

noun

self-pres·​er·​va·​tion

ˌself-ˌprez-ər-ˈvā-shən

: the keeping of oneself from destruction or harm