preservative

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​ser·​va·​tive pri-ˈzər-və-tiv 

: having the power of preserving

preservative

2 of 2

noun

: 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

Before the vote, panel members argued back and forth on whether thimerosal is safe, despite scientific literature showing no link between vaccines containing the preservative and autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 26 June 2025

The document allegedly found there was no link between the preservative thimerosal in flu vaccines and autism. —Bymary Kekatos, ABC News, 10 July 2025

Noun

Wash the vase and refill it with fresh, lukewarm water and flower preservative, or use 1 to 3 teaspoons of sugar. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025

Oat milk may have added sugars, additives, and preservatives, and is also lower in protein and calcium than cow's milk. —Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preservative

• conservative
• neoconservative

Kids Definition

preservative

1 of 2 adjective

pre·​ser·​va·​tive pri-ˈzər-vət-iv 

: having the power of preserving

preservative

2 of 2 noun

: something that preserves or has the power of preserving

especially : a substance added to food to prevent spoiling or discoloring

Medical Definition

preservative

noun

pre·​ser·​va·​tive pri-ˈzər-vət-iv 

: something that preserves or has the power of preserving

specifically : an additive used to protect against decay, discoloration, or spoilage

a food preservative