: 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
New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2025
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
ArsTechnica, 26 Mar. 2025
The dyes will not be allowed in meals served as part of school nutrition programs starting on Aug. 1 this year, while the dyes and the two preservatives will not be permitted in drugs and food sold in the state starting on Jan. 1, 2028, according to the governor's office.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preservative
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
In food and drinks, it’s often used as a thickener, preservative, and sugar substitute.
—New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2025
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
Noun
One focus of their work has been to claim that thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative previously used in vaccines, causes autism.
—ArsTechnica, 26 Mar. 2025
The dyes will not be allowed in meals served as part of school nutrition programs starting on Aug. 1 this year, while the dyes and the two preservatives will not be permitted in drugs and food sold in the state starting on Jan. 1, 2028, according to the governor's office.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preservative
Cite this Entry
“Preservative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preservative. Accessed 5 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share