preservative

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​ser·​va·​tive pri-ˈzər-və-tiv How to pronounce preservative (audio)
: having the power of preserving

preservative

2 of 2

noun

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The back of the device houses everything needed to create the foundation, including the preservative system, emulsions and pigments. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 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
Noun
Then there are preservatives which keep them shelf stable. Emily Nadal, Parents, 24 Apr. 2025 Individual states, such as California and West Virginia, have also independently pushed legislation to ban certain food dyes and preservatives this year. Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preservative

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preservative was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Preservative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preservative. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

preservative

1 of 2 adjective
pre·​ser·​va·​tive pri-ˈzər-vət-iv How to pronounce preservative (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce preservative (audio)
: something that preserves or has the power of preserving
specifically : an additive used to protect against decay, discoloration, or spoilage
a food preservative
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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