preservative

adjective

pre·ser·va·tive | \ pri-ˈzər-və-tiv

Definition of preservative

(Entry 1 of 2)

: having the power of preserving

preservative

noun

Definition of preservative (Entry 2 of 2)

: something that preserves or has the power of preserving specifically : an additive used to protect against decay, discoloration, or spoilage

Examples of preservative in a Sentence

Noun

This food does not contain any artificial preservatives. The wood was treated with preservative.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

For bogs, the acidity has remarkable preservative effects—think bog bodies—and keeps the environment limited to highly specialized species that can tolerate such harsh environments. — Lorraine Boissoneault, Smithsonian, "How Humble Moss Healed the Wounds of Thousands in World War I," 28 Apr. 2017 For cut flowers: Fill a clean vase halfway with lukewarm water, and mix in half or the entire preservative bag that comes with your flowers. — Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, "Punch List: What to do outdoors in your garden in February, plus tips on seeds," 3 Feb. 2017 Reliably clean water wouldn't arrive until 1842’s opening of the Croton Aqueduct, and thanks to its boiling process and the preservative nature of hops, beer was safer to drink than water until then. — Keith Flanagan, USA TODAY, "New York City's beer trail," 27 Apr. 2017 For bogs, the acidity has remarkable preservative effects—think bog bodies—and keeps the environment limited to highly specialized species that can tolerate such harsh environments. — Lorraine Boissoneault, Smithsonian, "How Humble Moss Healed the Wounds of Thousands in World War I," 28 Apr. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In an attempt to avoid using chemical preservatives of liquid paints, modern day milk paint was born. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "Milk Paint: The Eco-Friendly Option That Everyone Should Know," 18 Apr. 2019 Among the first to undergo evaluation is Propyl paraben, which is used as a preservative in various shampoos, conditioners, and lotions, and Methylene glycol (more commonly known as formaldehyde), which is used in a slew of hair treatments. — Ivana Rihter, Vogue, "Are Your Beauty Products Toxic? A New Senate Bill Aims to Tackle Unregulated Ingredients," 9 Mar. 2019 Choose a naturally rot-resistant wood such as cedar or locust, or use pine treated with a preservative. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "Everything You Need to Know About Container Gardening," 13 Aug. 2018 Common allergens include ingredients such as fragrance, benzophenone-UV filters (used in many makeup products that contain sunscreen), and preservatives like lanolin, Dr. Elliott says. — Jessica Toscano, SELF, "Here's What It Means If You Got a Skin Reaction From Your Makeup," 1 Mar. 2019 According to Jow, there is no standard dye formulation and that are a variety of dyes out there being used, some of which contain preservatives that aren’t regulated. — Audrey Noble, Harper's BAZAAR, "What is Eyebrow Tinting, Anyway?," 1 Feb. 2019 All the company’s products are free of high fructose corn syrup, artificial fats and trans-fats as well as artificial colors, preservatives and sweeteners. — Kyle Arnold, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Lake Nona will get region's first Earth Fare this summer," 3 Apr. 2018 Know Your Labels The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens tend to be the most problematic, says Downs, though preservatives, such as parabens, can also pose an environmental threat. — Kari Molvar, Vogue, "Is Your Sunscreen Bad for the Planet? Here’s How to Choose an Ocean-Safe Formula," 14 Aug. 2018 Recipe® Grain Free Salmon, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin Recipe, for instance, is free from corn, wheat, soy protein, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. — Jessica Migala, Country Living, "7 Great Cities to Visit With Your Dog," 26 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preservative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of preservative was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for preservative

preservative

noun

English Language Learners Definition of preservative

: a chemical that is added to food to keep it fresh longer

: a substance that is used on wood to prevent it from decaying

See the full definition for preservative in the English Language Learners Dictionary

preservative

noun

pre·ser·va·tive | \ pri-ˈzər-vət-iv

Kids Definition of preservative

: a substance added to food to keep it from spoiling

preservative

noun

pre·ser·va·tive | \ pri-ˈzər-vət-iv

Medical Definition of preservative

: something that preserves or has the power of preserving specifically : an additive used to protect against decay, discoloration, or spoilage a food preservative