preservative

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​ser·​va·​tive pri-ˈzər-və-tiv 

: 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

Adjective

That’s because more expensive soy sauces typically lack the preservative, sodium benzoate, that more common grocery-store soy sauces use to extend shelf life. —Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 26 Mar. 2024

That’s largely due to the preservative properties of salt, which is abundant in the mine. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Sep. 2023

Noun

Meanwhile, the two canoes that divers pulled from the lake in 2021 and 2022 are continuing their years-long bath in a vat of chemicals meant to replace the water in the cells of the wood with a kind of preservative. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2024

Frozen shrimp may contain preservatives like sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium bisulfite, which people with sulfite or phosphate sensitivities may want to avoid. —Erik Vance, New York Times, 28 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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