preservation

noun

pres·​er·​va·​tion ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce preservation (audio)
: 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

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
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.
Laura Sharp, whose parents Byron and Beverly owned the rink in the ‘80s and ‘90s, expressed her gratitude for the new owners’ preservation of the place’s integrity. Rachael Oquendo, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025 Beyond preservation of cultural treasures, companies are creating 3D models to improve safety, reduce downtime, train and plan. Ronald Bisio, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 But preservation of form provides little consolation when function has been strategically neutralized, mirroring the backsliding that scholars have thoroughly documented: maintaining legitimacy for institutions that no longer honor their founding purposes. Alondra Nelson, Time, 13 May 2025 The provision is part of a sweeping tax cut package and mirrors the Trump administration’s view of most public lands as an asset to be used, not set aside for preservation. Matthew Brown, Denver Post, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for preservation

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preservation was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Preservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preservation. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

preservation

noun
pres·​er·​va·​tion
ˌprez-ər-ˈvā-shən
: a keeping from injury, loss, or decay

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