Definition of preservationnext
1
as in preserving
the act or activity of keeping something in an existing and usually satisfactory condition each curator is responsible for the preservation of the works of art within his or her department

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2
as in conservation
the careful maintaining and protection of something valuable especially in its natural or original state the preservation of the tropical rainforests is a global responsibility

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of preservation Woodard emphasizes that talking about fertility preservation isn’t a commitment to being a parent. Rachel Hale, USA Today, 29 July 2026 The board decided at its meeting on Tuesday to focus on preservation and growth of ridership, local needs and balancing revenue and service costs. Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 29 July 2026 And local government staff say the project would violate state historic preservation rules. Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026 This is preservation born not of curatorial distance, but of care. Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for preservation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preservation
Noun
  • There are solutions for age verification that are both accurate and privacy preserving.
    Annie Chestnut Tutor, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • States set policy guardrails States are increasingly stepping in to set limits on HOA authority when private rules conflict with broader public interests related to renewable energy, wildlife conservation and water-saving landscaping.
    Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
  • While conservation measures were initially voluntary, Magyar’s government on Saturday issued a decree allowing for them to be made mandatory for large industrial or commercial consumers.
    Justin Spike, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • When a tool only automates a fraction of a task, but requires a $500,000 integration and continuous infrastructure maintenance, the ROI vanishes.
    Sridhar Yerramreddy, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Native plants require less water and maintenance and provide food and shelter for bees, birds, butterflies and other wildlife, connecting yards to their surrounding ecosystems.
    Daniel Kramer, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Following the restoration of one of Pittsburgh's key park landmarks, the city and its parks conservancy were awarded a 2026 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award from Preservation Pennsylvania.
    Finch Walker, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • Watch the park’s website for up to date information on events and other things hosted by the conservancy.
    Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Preservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preservation. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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