preserve

¹pre·serve

verb \pri-ˈzərv\

pre·servedpre·serv·ing

Definition of PRESERVE

transitive verb

1

: to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction : protect

2

a : to keep alive, intact, or free from decay b : maintain

3

a : to keep or save from decomposition b : to can, pickle, or similarly prepare for future use

4

: to keep up and reserve for personal or special use

intransitive verb

1

: to make preserves

2

: to raise and protect game for purposes of sport

3

: to be able to be preserved (as by canning)

— pre·serv·abil·i·ty \-ˌzər-və-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— pre·serv·able \-ˈzər-və-bəl\ adjective

— pres·er·va·tion \ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən\ noun

— pre·serv·er \pri-ˈzər-vər\ noun

Examples of PRESERVE

1. The fossil was well preserved.
2. These laws are intended to help preserve our natural resources.
3. They are fighting to preserve their rights as citizens.
4. a subtance that helps preserve wood
5. The peaches are preserved in syrup.
6. Salt can be used to preserve meat.

Origin of PRESERVE

Middle English, from Medieval Latin praeservare, from Late Latin, to observe beforehand, from Latin prae- + servare to keep, guard, observe — more at conserve

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PRESERVE

Synonyms: conserve, keep up, maintain, save

Related Words: service; support, sustain; care (for), husband, manage; defend, guard, protect, safeguard, screen, shield; cure, fix, heal, remedy; mend, patch, rebuild, reconstruct, rehabilitate, rejuvenate, restore

Near Antonyms: disregard, ignore, neglect; break, damage, destroy, harm, hurt, impair, injure, ruin, wreck

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