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
Library and Book Trade AlmanacThese and so many lesser red flags seem finally to be shifting public interest toward the preservation of wildlife and natural habitats.—E. Annie Proulx
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
Tibbett L. SpeerExamples 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
Beyond preservation concerns, another issue (a set of issues) surrounding breaching the tomb centers on hazards, both physical and political.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
Under the agreement, the team will provide an initial $400,000 investment that can go toward a variety of community priorities like youth scholarships, housing stability programs, environmental projects, and local art and cultural preservation.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025
For making a mark on local historic preservation, several area residents and a project with connections to La Jolla are honored with People in Preservation awards from the Save Our Heritage Organisation.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
In 2001, a group of Flagstaff residents proposed that DarkSky International create a worldwide program to recognize cities and towns committed to night sky preservation.
—Emily Elconin, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preservation
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Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Dec. 2025
Under the agreement, the team will provide an initial $400,000 investment that can go toward a variety of community priorities like youth scholarships, housing stability programs, environmental projects, and local art and cultural preservation.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025
For making a mark on local historic preservation, several area residents and a project with connections to La Jolla are honored with People in Preservation awards from the Save Our Heritage Organisation.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
In 2001, a group of Flagstaff residents proposed that DarkSky International create a worldwide program to recognize cities and towns committed to night sky preservation.
—Emily Elconin, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preservation
Cite this Entry
“Preservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preservation. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.
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