reserve

verb

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re·serve | \ ri-ˈzərv

reserved; reserving

Definition of reserve

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to hold in reserve : keep back reserve grain for seed

b : to set aside (part of the consecrated elements) at the Eucharist for future use

c : to retain or hold over to a future time or place : defer reserve one's judgment on a plan

d : to make legal reservation of

2 : to set or have set aside or apart reserve a hotel room

reserve

noun, often attributive

Definition of reserve (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : something reserved or set aside for a particular purpose, use, or reason: such as

a(1) : a military force withheld from action for later decisive use —usually used in plural

(2) : forces not in the field but available

(3) : the military forces of a country not part of the regular services also : reservist

b : a tract (as of public land) set apart : reservation

2 : something stored or kept available for future use or need : stock

3 : an act of reserving : qualification

4a : restraint, closeness, or caution in one's words and actions

b : forbearance from making a full explanation, complete disclosure, or free expression of one's mind

5 archaic : secret

6a : money or its equivalent kept in hand or set apart usually to meet liabilities

b : the liquid resources of a nation for meeting international payments

7 : substitute

8 : reserve price

9 : a wine made from select grapes, bottled on the maker's premises, and aged differently from the maker's other wines of the same vintage

in reserve

: held back for future or special use

Other Words from reserve Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about reserve

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Choose the Right Synonym for reserve

Verb

keep, retain, detain, withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control. keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control. keep this while I'm gone retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss. managed to retain their dignity even in poverty detain suggests a delay in letting go. detained them for questioning withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go. withheld information from the authorities reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use. reserve some of your energy for the last mile

Examples of reserve in a Sentence

Verb We reserved a hotel room. This table is reserved for someone else. The seats are reserved under my name. We will reserve this wine for a special occasion. She usually reserved her best dishes for very important dinners. Noun He had to call upon his inner reserves of strength to keep going. the salesclerk showed great reserve in dealing with the unreasonable demands of the angry customer

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Guests can reserve plush accommodations such as reclining seats or booths equipped with power outlets and Wi-Fi. — Ron Donoho Writer, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Circa Resort & Casino opens in downtown Las Vegas," 13 Dec. 2020 Anyone interested in choosing a solar powered car for themselves can reserve it for just $100, according to Hypebeast. — Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, "See the World's First Electric Car That's Powered by the Sun," 11 Dec. 2020 To reserve Jefferson Parish Appreciation Day tickets, $12.48 for the zoo or $14.98 for the aquarium, visit audubonnatureinstitute.org/jefferson?promocode=JPAD2020. — Staff Reports, NOLA.com, "National parks increase access, St. John deputies get training and more metro community news," 9 Dec. 2020 Eligible projects must reserve housing for tenants making less than 30% of the area median income. — Roland Li, SFChronicle.com, "Facebook creates $150 million low-income housing fund as part of $1 billion commitment," 9 Dec. 2020 While the platform is traditionally used for out-of-town stays, users will sometimes reserve rentals in-town just for partying. — Madeline Ackley, The Arizona Republic, "Airbnb imposes restrictions for New Year's Eve reservations in Arizona to stop partying," 4 Dec. 2020 To reserve a time slot to view in-person, visit 21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati; to view virtually: bit.ly/32E7RdA. — Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, "Things to do in Cincinnati this week: Nov. 30-Dec. 6," 30 Nov. 2020 And that’s because my ancestors were savvy enough to reserve that right for me. — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, "Q&A with a Tribal Hunter on Storytelling, Taking Photos of Game, and Hunting Traditions," 9 Nov. 2020 The charges do not carry specifications that would make McDaniel eligible to face execution if he is convicted, but the indictment says prosecutors reserve the right to seek those charges in the future. — Cory Shaffer, cleveland, "Man indicted in ‘random’ killing of Cleveland police detective, informant," 17 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The Saints have a skeleton crew of receivers again this week, as Michael Thomas, Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway remain on injured reserve. — Amie Just | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, "The Edge: Saints poised to have upper hand in matchup against injury-plagued Vikings," 23 Dec. 2020 On Tuesday night, boosted by the return of 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and several other players after their stay on reserve/COVID-19, the Ravens returned to form and then some. — Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "Ravens run over Cowboys in NFL Tuesday night game," 9 Dec. 2020 The Cowboys also placed safety Steven Parker on injured reserve following an apparent setback in his recovery from a Nov. 29 ankle injury versus Washington. — Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, "Source says S Darian Thompson expected to start vs. Ravens; Donovan Wilson (groin), Anthony Brown (ribs) out for Cowboys," 7 Dec. 2020 The Browns place linebacker Sione Takitaki on the reserve/Covid-19 list. — Marc Bona, cleveland, "Football-rivalry game canceled, Browns players out, ex-NFL player dies, vaccine trials under way - coronavirus timeline Nov. 21-27," 28 Nov. 2020 Brandon Williams have been placed on the reserve/Covid-19 list. — Allen Kim, CNN, "Football fans are hoping for a normal Thanksgiving. Positive Covid-19 tests on the Ravens roster now threaten that," 24 Nov. 2020 On Tuesday, the Lions placed linebacker Jarrad Davis on reserve/COVID-19, their first player to land on the list in more than three months. — Dave Birkett, USA TODAY, "Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford placed on COVID-19 reserve list," 4 Nov. 2020 The Raiders placed defensive tackle Maurice Hurst on the reserve/covid-19 list Tuesday. — Arkansas Online, "AP source: 2 more Titans positives, Pats cancel practice," 7 Oct. 2020 The Atlanta Falcons placed starting cornerback A.J. Terrell on the reserve/Covid-19 list before the team’s Week 3 game against the Chicago Bears, which was played as scheduled after neither team reported any additional positives. — Ken Belson, New York Times, "Patriots-Chiefs Game Postponed After Positive Coronavirus Tests on Both Teams," 3 Oct. 2020

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

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Last Updated

13 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Reserve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reserve. Accessed 20 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for reserve

reserve

verb

English Language Learners Definition of reserve

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to make arrangements so that you will be able to use or have (something, such as a room, table, or seat) at a later time

: to keep (something) for a special or future use

: to choose to do (something) at a later time

reserve

noun

English Language Learners Definition of reserve (Entry 2 of 2)

: a supply of something that is stored so that it can be used at a later time

: a military force that is additional to the regular forces and that is available if it is needed

: an area of land where animals and plants are given special protection

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

reserve

verb

re·serve | \ ri-ˈzərv

reserved; reserving

Kids Definition of reserve

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to arrange to have set aside and held for someone's use I called to reserve a hotel room.

2 : to keep in store for special use She believed that Sundays should be reserved for family activities.— Carl Hiaasen, Hoot

3 : to keep from using until a future time We need to reserve our strength.

4 : to hold over to a future time or place Reserve judgment until you know the facts.

reserve

noun

Kids Definition of reserve (Entry 2 of 2)

1 reserves plural : military forces held back or available for later use

2 : an area of land set apart a nature reserve

3 : caution in words and behavior

4 : something stored for future use oil reserves

5 : an act of setting something aside for future use

reserve

noun

re·serve | \ ri-ˈzərv

Medical Definition of reserve

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : something stored or kept available for future use or need oxygen reserve — see cardiac reserve

2 : the capacity of a solution to neutralize alkali or acid when its reaction is shifted from one hydrogen-ion concentration to another especially : the capacity of blood or bacteriological media to react with acid or alkali within predetermined and usually physiological limits of hydrogen-ion concentration — compare buffer, buffer solution

reserve

adjective

Medical Definition of reserve (Entry 2 of 2)

: constituting or having the form or function of a reserve a reserve supply reserve strength

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reserve

transitive verb

re·serve

reserved; reserving

Legal Definition of reserve

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to keep back or set apart: as

a : to keep (a right, power, or interest) especially by express declaration all rights reserved — compare waive

b : to defer a determination of (a question of law) the justices reserved the question because it was not an issue in the case

reserve

noun

Legal Definition of reserve (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : something stored or kept available for future use an energy company with various unproven oil reserves

2 : an act of reserving

3 : money kept in a separate account to meet future liabilities

— legal reserve

: the minimum amount as determined by government standards of the deposits held by a bank or of the assets of a life insurance company required by law to be kept as reserves

— loss reserve

1 : a reserve allocated by a bank for the purpose of absorbing losses a loan loss reserve

2 : an insurance company's reserve representing the discounted value of future payments to be made on losses which may have already occurred

— policy reserve

: an insurance company's reserve representing the difference in value between the net premiums and assumed claims for a given year in life insurance

— unearned premium reserve

: a reserve of funds which represents premiums paid to an insurance company but not yet applied to policy coverage and from which a policyholder is paid a refund in the event of cancellation prior to the period for which premiums have been paid

4 : reserve price

with reserve

: with a reserve price and with a seller reserving the right to reject all bids

Note: A sale at auction is with reserve if there is no explicit indication to the contrary.

without reserve

: without a reserve price and with the seller bound to accept the highest bid

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