preserved; preserving
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
1
: to make preserves
2
: to raise and protect game for purposes of sport
3
: to be able to be preserved (as by canning)
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
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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Mecca Pryor, Essence, 15 Sep. 2023
In fact, this 330-acre resort, more than half of which is preserved, is a nature lover's paradise.
—Karen Cicero, Parents, 14 Sep. 2023
But Needham senior defensive lineman Dave Curtis pressured quarterback Cooper Tarantino enough to disrupt his pass intended for Charlie Barringer, preserving the lead.
—Keith Pearson, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
To preserve the whale population, the village has a quota of four bowhead whales per year, Brower said.
—Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Sep. 2023
Even though this casserole dish is dishwasher safe, the manufacturer recommends hand washing to preserve the original design.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2023
In the meantime, lots of details of Google’s business are likely to emerge under rules intended to preserve confidentiality of sensitive business information.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023
In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, our community seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions or advertising.
—Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
Her defense helped Indian Hill preserve a shutout in the 1-0 win over Oakwood last week.
—Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2023
Giles Bruce, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
That’s of particular concern at this Southern California preserve, where fires were once uncommon but are now increasing in frequency and ferocity.
—Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2023
Drizzle melted preserves over the top of the bread.
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2023
The farm store, which also has fresh pies, preserves, pickles, ferments and sauces, is at 2184 Ross Lane, Medford, 541-622-8154, fryfamilyfarm.org.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 18 July 2023
Polanski now marries and impregnates a hot Texan blonde, Sharon Tate, and, while continuing to work abroad, plants Sharon in the exclusive preserve of 10050 Cielo Drive, Benedict Canyon.
—Matt Thompson, Spin, 10 Sep. 2023
Together with its preserve, Gates of the Arctic spans 8.5 million acres of North Central Alaska’s Brooks Range, according to the park.
—Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 27 Aug. 2023
The preserve’s two vegetation technicians are managing an effort to plant 4,000 eastern Joshua tree sprouts in the dome burn area.
—Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Aug. 2023
Some of the preserve’s plants can take centuries to recover from destruction.
—Ty O'Neil, Stefanie Dazio and Rio Yamat, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Aug. 2023
See More
Verb
Not only does a utility patent apply to clothes, but any new invention looking to be preserved.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 15 Sep. 2023
In fact, this 330-acre resort, more than half of which is preserved, is a nature lover's paradise.
—Karen Cicero, Parents, 14 Sep. 2023
But Needham senior defensive lineman Dave Curtis pressured quarterback Cooper Tarantino enough to disrupt his pass intended for Charlie Barringer, preserving the lead.
—Keith Pearson, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
To preserve the whale population, the village has a quota of four bowhead whales per year, Brower said.
—Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Sep. 2023
Even though this casserole dish is dishwasher safe, the manufacturer recommends hand washing to preserve the original design.
—Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2023
In the meantime, lots of details of Google’s business are likely to emerge under rules intended to preserve confidentiality of sensitive business information.
—Trisha Thadani, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023
In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, our community seeks to create social environments that are unmediated by commercial sponsorships, transactions or advertising.
—Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
Her defense helped Indian Hill preserve a shutout in the 1-0 win over Oakwood last week.
—Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2023
Noun
Park district staff have reached out to the forest preserve about maintaining the small part of the trail in the Fairlane Farms Park area, Shutes said.
—Giles Bruce, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023
That’s of particular concern at this Southern California preserve, where fires were once uncommon but are now increasing in frequency and ferocity.
—Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 6 Aug. 2023
Drizzle melted preserves over the top of the bread.
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2023
The farm store, which also has fresh pies, preserves, pickles, ferments and sauces, is at 2184 Ross Lane, Medford, 541-622-8154, fryfamilyfarm.org.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 18 July 2023
Polanski now marries and impregnates a hot Texan blonde, Sharon Tate, and, while continuing to work abroad, plants Sharon in the exclusive preserve of 10050 Cielo Drive, Benedict Canyon.
—Matt Thompson, Spin, 10 Sep. 2023
Together with its preserve, Gates of the Arctic spans 8.5 million acres of North Central Alaska’s Brooks Range, according to the park.
—Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 27 Aug. 2023
The preserve’s two vegetation technicians are managing an effort to plant 4,000 eastern Joshua tree sprouts in the dome burn area.
—Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 Aug. 2023
Some of the preserve’s plants can take centuries to recover from destruction.
—Ty O'Neil, Stefanie Dazio and Rio Yamat, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'preserve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of preserve was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing preserve
Articles Related to preserve
Dictionary Entries Near preserve
Cite this Entry
“Preserve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preserve. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
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 noun1
: 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
U.S. Constitution amend. VIIthe dismissal of a chapter 7 case…reinstates certain transfers voided or preserved in the case—J. H. Williamson
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.
J. H. Friedenthal et al.
More from Merriam-Webster on preserve
Nglish: Translation of preserve for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of preserve for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about preserve
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share