preserve

1 of 2

verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

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)

preservability

pri-ˌzər-və-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

preservable

pri-ˈzər-və-bəl 

adjective

preserver

pri-ˈzər-vər 

noun

preserve

2 of 2

noun

1

: fruit canned or made into jams or jellies or cooked whole or in large pieces in a syrup so as to keep its shape

—often used in plural

2

: an area restricted for the protection and preservation of natural resources (such as animals or plants)

a game preserve for regulated hunting or fishing

nature preserves

3

: something regarded as reserved for certain persons

Synonyms of preserve

Verb

• conserve
• maintain
• save
• protect

Examples of preserve in a Sentence

Verb

The fossil was well preserved.

These laws are intended to help preserve our natural resources.

They are fighting to preserve their rights as citizens.

The peaches are preserved in syrup.

Salt can be used to preserve meat.

Noun

a jar of strawberry preserve

Game preserves allow only carefully controlled hunting and fishing.

The military was once an all-male preserve.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Her paintings preserve a child’s unguarded but uncomprehending view of depravity. —Ben Davis, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026

For all those who insisted the players were preserving their energy for the court, the Nuggets responded with one of the worst playoff quarters in franchise history. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026

Noun

Hurtigruten now works with more than 70 coastal suppliers, and 80 percent of onboard food is sourced locally, from meat and milk to pastries and preserves. —Karen Gardiner, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026

Responding deputies located the suspect within the preserve holding a torch, according to the affidavit. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing preserve

• game preserve
• nature preserve
• preserve the planet

Rhymes for preserve

• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• reserve
• subserve
• curve
• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• swerve
• verve

Kids Definition

preserve

1 of 2 verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

1

: to keep or save from injury, loss, or ruin : protect

preserve the republic

2

: maintain sense 1, continue

preserve silence

3

: to prepare (as vegetables, fruits, or meats) to be kept for future use

preserver noun

preserve

2 of 2 noun

1

: fruit cooked in sugar or made into jams or jellies

strawberry preserves

2

: an area where natural resources (as fish, game, or trees) are protected

Medical Definition

preserve

transitive verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

1

: to keep alive, intact, or free from decay

2

: to keep or save from decomposition

Legal Definition

preserve

transitive verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

1

: to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction

expenses necessary to preserve the property

2

a

: to keep valid, intact, or in existence (as pending a proceeding)

the right of a trial by jury shall be preserved

—U.S. Constitution amend. VII

the dismissal of a chapter 7 case…reinstates certain transfers voided or preserved in the case

—J. H. Williamson

b

: to maintain for use or consideration at a later time especially by keeping a record of

deposed the witness to preserve her testimony

a party has the option of preserving the objection raised

—J. H. Friedenthal et al.

preservation

ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən 

noun