preserve

1 of 2

verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

transitive verb

1

: to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction : protect

2

a

: to keep alive, intact, or free from decay

b

: maintain

3

a

: to keep or save from decomposition

b

: to can, pickle, or similarly prepare for future use

4

: to keep up and reserve for personal or special use

intransitive verb

1

: to make preserves

2

: to raise and protect game for purposes of sport

3

: to be able to be preserved (as by canning)

preservability

pri-ˌzər-və-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

preservable

pri-ˈzər-və-bəl 

adjective

preserver

pri-ˈzər-vər 

noun

preserve

2 of 2

noun

1

: fruit canned or made into jams or jellies or cooked whole or in large pieces in a syrup so as to keep its shape

—often used in plural

2

: an area restricted for the protection and preservation of natural resources (such as animals or plants)

a game preserve for regulated hunting or fishing

nature preserves

3

: something regarded as reserved for certain persons

Synonyms

Verb

• conserve
• keep up
• maintain
• save

Examples of preserve in a Sentence

Verb

The fossil was well preserved.

These laws are intended to help preserve our natural resources.

They are fighting to preserve their rights as citizens.

The peaches are preserved in syrup.

Salt can be used to preserve meat.

Noun

a jar of strawberry preserve

Game preserves allow only carefully controlled hunting and fishing.

The military was once an all-male preserve.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Those who supported the decision said the statue should stay put to preserve history. —Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 30 Nov. 2023

In addition to preserving records of centuries of Jewish life and identifying the massacre’s victims, many of whom remain anonymous, the center’s staff members are compiling details about Ukrainian civilians killed in Russian airstrikes and artillery bombardments. —Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Nov. 2023

Luckily, many fans care about preserving historic AMI and, in so doing, the island has recently experienced a come-up. —Jennifer Salerno, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2023

The platform's new owner maintains that Jezebel will preserve editorial independence through the acquisition and continue to be an outlet for women’s issues and commentary. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023

Preservation in Wildlife Management: The Endangered Species Act In the 1960s and 70s, Congress passed a series of laws meant to preserve endangered species in the face of growing environmental concerns. —Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 29 Nov. 2023

Leveraging Medicinal Energy: If nothing else, 2023 taught us the importance of preserving and boosting your energy. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 28 Nov. 2023

And that’s so necessary in preserving recipes, because without those measurements, dishes will be lost. —Jessica Carbone, Saveur, 28 Nov. 2023

This right was correctly preserved in Colorado today. —Isabella Murray, ABC News, 18 Nov. 2023

Noun

Now Weiland — who moved to College Gardens in 2012 — is used to seeing residents of surrounding neighborhoods drive in, park across the street from her home and unload their children or dogs for walks in the forest preserve. —Jillian Atelsek, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023

Attend one of the many lectures put on by the preserve. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2023

Situated in the historic Snake Creek Gorge, this peaceful preserve also offers hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2023

The docents are volunteers who essentially hang out at the preserve to say hello and explain why there are hundreds of even-toed ungulates munching away on the grasses. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2023

Kick up a pineapple preserves and apple jelly mixture with a bit of horseradish and crushed red pepper. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 16 Nov. 2023

Advertisement To begin the hike, park at the Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, a 68-acre preserve located west of Point Loma Nazarene University. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Nov. 2023

But Black Forest Cake with chocolate genoise, cherry preserves, and Swiss meringue buttercream? —Rick Lewis, Bon Appétit, 26 Oct. 2023

The fruit from the orchard is used to make delicious homemade preserves, which Tracey sells at the market. —Jean Chen Smith, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Medieval Latin praeservare, from Late Latin, to observe beforehand, from Latin prae- + servare to keep, guard, observe — more at conserve

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing preserve

• preserve the planet
• game preserve
• nature preserve

• preserve the planet
• game preserve
• nature preserve

Kids Definition

preserve

1 of 2 verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

1

: to keep or save from injury, loss, or ruin : protect

preserve the republic

2

: maintain sense 1, continue

preserve silence

3

: to prepare (as vegetables, fruits, or meats) to be kept for future use

preserver noun

preserve

2 of 2 noun

1

: fruit cooked in sugar or made into jams or jellies

strawberry preserves

2

: an area where natural resources (as fish, game, or trees) are protected

Medical Definition

preserve

transitive verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

1

: to keep alive, intact, or free from decay

2

: to keep or save from decomposition

Legal Definition

preserve

transitive verb

pre·​serve pri-ˈzərv 

preserved; preserving

1

: to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction

expenses necessary to preserve the property

2

a

: to keep valid, intact, or in existence (as pending a proceeding)

the right of a trial by jury shall be preserved

—U.S. Constitution amend. VII

the dismissal of a chapter 7 case…reinstates certain transfers voided or preserved in the case

—J. H. Williamson

b

: to maintain for use or consideration at a later time especially by keeping a record of

deposed the witness to preserve her testimony

a party has the option of preserving the objection raised

—J. H. Friedenthal et al.

preservation

ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən 

noun