conserve

1 of 2

verb

con·​serve kən-ˈsərv How to pronounce conserve (audio)
conserved; conserving

transitive verb

1
: to keep in a safe or sound state
He conserved his inheritance.
especially : to avoid wasteful or destructive use of
conserve natural resources
conserve our wildlife
2
: to preserve with sugar
3
: to maintain (a quantity) constant during a process of chemical, physical, or evolutionary change
conserved DNA sequences
conserver noun

conserve

2 of 2

noun

con·​serve ˈkän-ˌsərv How to pronounce conserve (audio)
1
: sweetmeat
especially : a candied fruit
2
: preserve
specifically : one prepared from a mixture of fruits

Examples of conserve in a Sentence

Verb With so little rain, everyone had to conserve water. We need to conserve our natural resources. Don't run around too much—you need to conserve your strength.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
This approach is exhausting and drains the limited willpower we are meant to conserve. Shane Enete, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024 Threat level: The feds are working to conserve monarchs. Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
Assenza is a master of preserving and transforming fruit into delicious conserves and marmalades. Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2023 Her cranberry conserve? Amiel Stanek, Bon Appétit, 25 Oct. 2022 See all Example Sentences for conserve 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English conserven "to maintain in good condition, preserve, protect, keep," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French conserver "to preserve" (also continental Middle French), borrowed from Latin conservāre "to save or keep from danger, preserve, keep unchanged," from con- con- + servāre "to watch over, guard, keep, observe (a law, custom), maintain in existence, preserve," probably derivative of an abstract noun *seru̯om or *seru̯ā "observation, guarding," formed from the Indo-European verbal base *ser- "keep watch on, guard" and a nominal suffix *-u̯o- — more at serve entry 1

Noun

Middle English, "medicinal preparation, sweetmeat," borrowed from Middle French, "preserved food product," noun derivative of conserver "to maintain, preserve, conserve entry 1"

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conserve was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near conserve

Cite this Entry

“Conserve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conserve. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

conserve

1 of 2 verb
con·​serve kən-ˈsərv How to pronounce conserve (audio)
conserved; conserving
1
a
: to keep in a safe or sound state
b
: to avoid wasteful or destructive use of : use carefully
conserve natural resources
conserve energy
2
: to preserve with sugar
3
: to keep (a quantity) constant during a process of change (as chemical change)
conserver noun

conserve

2 of 2 noun
con·​serve ˈkän-ˌsərv How to pronounce conserve (audio)
1
: a candied fruit
2

Medical Definition

conserve

1 of 2 noun
con·​serve ˈkän-ˌsərv How to pronounce conserve (audio)
: an obsolete medicinal preparation made by mixing undried vegetable drugs with sufficient powdered sugar to form a soft mass compare confection

conserve

2 of 2 transitive verb
con·​serve kən-ˈsərv How to pronounce conserve (audio)
conserved; conserving
: to maintain (a quantity) constant during a process of chemical, physical, or evolutionary change
a DNA sequence that has been conserved

More from Merriam-Webster on conserve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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