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

• 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

Passing cars honked in support while protesters waved signs calling for the preservation of the expansive Everglades preserve, home to several endangered species and Native tribes. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025

Bezos, the world’s third richest person, and Sánchez, requested that in lieu of gifts, guests donate to local organizations supporting the preservation of Venice. —Sarah Polus, The Hill, 28 June 2025

The agave is slow-cooked in stainless steel autoclaves, fermented in copper and stainless-steel tanks, and double-distilled in copper pot stills to ensure preservation of its nuanced character. —Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Davidson has also raised concerns over its preservation of clean energy tax credits and restrictions on state regulation of artificial intelligence. —Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 26 June 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