Main Entry:

res·er·va·tion

Pronunciation:

\ˌre-zər-ˈvā-shən\

Function:

noun

Date:

15th century

1: an act of reserving something: as a (1): the act or fact of a grantor's reserving some newly created thing out of the thing granted (2): the right or interest so reserved b: the setting of limiting conditions or withholding from complete exposition <answered without reservation> c: an arrangement to have something (as a hotel room) held for one's use ; also : a promise, guarantee, or record of such engagement 2 a: a limiting condition <agreed, but with reservations> b: doubt, misgiving <had serious reservations about marriage>3: something reserved: as a: a tract of public land set aside (as for use by American Indians) b: an area in which hunting is not permitted ; especially : one set aside as a secure breeding place

— res·er·va·tion·ist \-sh(ə-)nist\ noun