preservation

noun

pres·​er·​va·​tion ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən 

: the act, process, or result of preserving something: such as

a

: the activity or process of keeping something valued alive, intact, or free from damage or decay

preservation of state parks/monuments

preservation of an old tradition

The special emphasis of recent years on preservation continued in 1988. More than 8,000 brittle volumes (1.5 million pages) were committed to microfilm; an additional 777 rare books, manuscripts, and historical films received special conservation treatment.

—Library and Book Trade Almanac

These and so many lesser red flags seem finally to be shifting public interest toward the preservation of wildlife and natural habitats.

—E. Annie Proulx

b

: the preparation of food for future use (as by canning, pickling, or freezing) to prevent spoilage

the use of salt in the preservation of meat

In the years following the first Earth Day in 1970, a contingent of Americans insisted on developing pesticide-free systems of farming and anti-chemical methods of food preservation and preparation.

—Tibbett L. Speer

Synonyms of preservation

• preserving
• maintenance

Examples of preservation in a Sentence

each curator is responsible for the preservation of the works of art within his or her department

the preservation of the tropical rainforests is a global responsibility

Recent Examples on the Web

There will be challenges in repurposing the site, from considerations around historic preservation to the sheer size of the campus. —Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 2025

While his team at Everrati successfully electrified a number of high-profile legendary cars, some vehicles will remain in the realm of preservation and restoration. —Paul Ratner, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to Tibet visited Yani Wetland on trips to Tibet in recent years, and both emphasized the importance of ecological preservation, suggesting that the wetland will be preserved at least in part. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025

The historic preservation group argues that the lawsuit isn't about the need for a ballroom, but about the need to follow the law, repeatedly arguing in court Tuesday that five laws have been broken by the demolition and build project. —Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing preservation

• preservation order
• self-preservation
• state of preservation

Rhymes for preservation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

preservation

noun

pres·​er·​va·​tion

ˌprez-ər-ˈvā-shən

: a keeping from injury, loss, or decay