save

verb \ ˈsāv \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of save

saved; saving

transitive verb

1 a : to deliver from sin

b : to rescue or deliver from danger or harm

c : to preserve or guard from injury, destruction, or loss

d : to store (data) in a computer or on a storage device

save a file

Remember to save your work frequently.

2 a : to put aside as a store or reserve : accumulate

saving money for emergencies

b : to spend less by

save 25 percent

3 a : to make unnecessary : avoid

it saves an hour's driving

b (1) : to keep from being lost to an opponent

(2) : to prevent an opponent from scoring or winning

4 : maintain, preserve

save appearances

intransitive verb

1 : to rescue or deliver someone

2 a : to put aside money

b : to avoid unnecessary waste or expense : economize

c : to spend less money

3 : to make a save

—

savable

or saveable play \ˈsā-və-bəl\ adjective

—

saver

noun

See save defined for English-language learners

See save defined for kids

Examples of save in a Sentence

He is trying to save his marriage by going to counseling for his drug addiction.
She saved a tense situation by staying calm.
Thinner computer monitors save space.
She would rather save than spend.
Save a little money for later.
She saves part of her pay every week.
I saved $20,000 for a down payment on the house.
She saved $15 at the grocery store by using coupons.

Recent Examples of save from the Web

Unfortunately, many sick patients are being denied the opportunity to test new drugs that might save their lives.

— david gerber, STAT, "Unnecessary exclusions shut patients out of clinical trials," 5 Apr. 2018
The city would save between $500,000 and $700,000 a year, officials have said.

— steve lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora mayor announces tax rebate proposal, plan for old Copley property," 4 Apr. 2018
Protein Stabilizer is a material that can disperse proteins and potentially preserve them for longer periods of time at higher temperatures, which would save costs of freezing during storage, increase the shelf life and simplify handling.

— megan becka, cleveland.com, "LaunchTown Entrepreneurship Awards announces finalists," 4 Apr. 2018
Elgin Public Works Superintendent Greg Hulke said the city saves about $1,000 by having the planting dishes planted by other organizations.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Operation Downtown Planters seeks help bringing spring to Elgin," 3 Apr. 2018
In plain English, that means most heirs will save big on capital gains taxes on inherited shares of stocks.

— Houston Chronicle, "Last year’s tax overhaul makes 2018 a great year to die," 2 Apr. 2018
In plain English, that means most heirs will save big on capital gains taxes on inherited shares of stocks.

— michael taylor, San Antonio Express-News, "Last year’s tax overhaul makes 2018 a great year to die," 2 Apr. 2018
Transit helps people get to schools, jobs, and preventative health care, and if a higher percentage of current Chicago residents were well educated, employed, and healthy, that could save a lot of money for society.

— john greenfield, Chicago Reader, "Should the CTA be free? Why not?," 2 Apr. 2018
But lost in the angst over the Nomar Mazara play in the sixth inning Friday night is that replay two batters later might have saved their victory.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "Rangers Reaction: Yes, it's incredibly early, but the bullpen has been a bright spot | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 31 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of save

Middle English, from Anglo-French salver, from Late Latin salvare, from Latin salvus safe — more at safe

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

save Synonyms

Phrases

pinch pennies;

Synonym Discussion of save

rescue, deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger. rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

- rescued the crew of a sinking ship

deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

- delivered his people from bondage

redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary.

- job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

- tried to ransom the kidnap victim

reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

- reclaimed long-abandoned farms

save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence.

- an operation that saved my life

save

noun

Definition of save

1 : a play that prevents an opponent from scoring or winning

2 : the action of a relief pitcher in baseball in successfully protecting a team's lead; also : official credit for a save

See save defined for English-language learners

Examples of save in a Sentence

The goalie made a spectacular save.
He leads the league in saves.

Recent Examples of save from the Web

Related stories from Star-Telegram Grapevine, Birdville sweep bi district round Is this the best volleyball save of all time?

— brian gosset, star-telegram, "Grapevine, Birdville sweep, other area teams win bi-district trophies," 31 Oct. 2017
The save came as a delightful cross was put into the back post, Ariel Nahuelpan looked certain to finish the chance from two yards out.

— SI.com, "VIDEO: Brazilian Goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe Pulls Off Near-Impossible Save During Copa Libertadores," 28 Oct. 2017
Chase Utley struck out swinging with two on to end the inning, and Davis got Bellinger to ground into a game-ending double play for the save.

— creg stephenson, AL.com, "Cubs vs. Dodgers live stream, live score updates; MLB playoffs 2017 Game 5," 19 Oct. 2017
O'Shaughnessy, who finished with seven saves, also made a pair of diving stops in the final 19 minutes, robbing David Moreno and Gountounas.

— steve millar, Daily Southtown, "Stop sign: Lincoln-Way West's O'Shaughnessy stands tall vs. Andrew," 18 Oct. 2017
However, backup goalie Robert Cox, a senior, had the save.

— nate bryan, The Courier-Journal, "Top-ranked rivals St. Xavier and Trinity battle to draw," 27 Sep. 2017
Bel Air notched the first clean scoring opportunity of the contest via a through ball in the seventh minute of the first half with Cobras goalkeeper Jordan Althoff making the save.

— chris jeter, The Aegis, "Bel Air girls soccer pulls away for victory over Harford Tech," 20 Sep. 2017
But Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher moved across the goalmouth and made the save on Groom’s shot.

— kansascity, "FC Kansas City’s playoff chances gone after scoreless draw with Chicago," 9 Sep. 2017
Sarah Shimer made four saves in the game, recording her second shutout of the year and sixth of her career for the win.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "Washington volleyball team finishes off sweep of Santa Clara Broncos," 1 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of save

1883

Other Baseball Terms

alley, cleanup, nightcap, safety, shag

save

preposition

Definition of save

: other than : but, except

no hope save one

See save defined for English-language learners

Examples of save in a Sentence

We had no hope save one.
everyone save me is going to the party

Recent Examples of save from the Web

Still, sweat-inducing heat is perhaps as central to Southern Thai cuisine as anything save plentiful seafood.

— OregonLive.com, "Hat Yai is the Southern star in Portland's Thai food constellation," 6 Apr. 2018
Can medical marijuana save Michigan girl? There is good news and bad news for the fledgling marijuana industry in Michigan.

— kathleen gray, Detroit Free Press, "Feds unlikely to pursue Michigan medical marijuana, but treasury will," 27 Mar. 2018
How guns affected the 2016 election Here is a map likely to shock even the most cynical observer of America’s gun debate: If only gun owners had voted in the 2016 election, then Donald Trump would have won every single state save Vermont.

— dylan matthews, Vox, "How gun ownership became a powerful political identity," 23 Mar. 2018
Daniel James later turned in a scoreless ninth inning for the 17th save of his career and first of the season.

— bailey arredondo, star-telegram, "UT Arlington keeps winning streak alive, shuts down Abilene Christian | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 20 Mar. 2018
United States women’s national hockey team goaltender Maddie Rooney became a national hero in Pyeongchang, after her shootout save clinched a gold medal for Team USA against Canada.

— nick schwartz, For The Win, "USA hockey's 'secretary of defense' gets letter from the U.S. Defense Secretary," 13 Mar. 2018
After starting as rain many spots given temperatures around 40, precipitation should change to snow in much of the local area, save perhaps southern and southeastern zones.

— ian livingston, Washington Post, "PM Update: Winter weather advisory for north and west suburbs Saturday afternoon and evening," 16 Feb. 2018
Bobrovsky’s best save of that period was a filthy theft of Claude Giroux on a three-on-one midway through.

— sam donnellon, Philly.com, "Flyers finally win in Columbus on Sean Couturier's overtime goal," 16 Feb. 2018
Teams do not keep giving save opportunities out of charity.

— tom verducci, SI.com, "The Nine Players I Voted for to Make the Hall of Fame in 2018," 23 Jan. 2018

Origin and Etymology of save

Middle English sauf, from Anglo-French sauve, from sauf, adjective, safe — more at safe

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

save Synonyms

Synonyms

apart from, aside from, bar, barring, beside, besides, but, except (also excepting), except for, excluding, exclusive of, other than, outside, outside of, saving;

save

conjunction

Definition of save

1 : except for the fact that : only —used with that

of his earlier years little is known, save that he studied violin
—J. N. Burk

2 : but, except —used before a word often taken to be the subject of a clause

no one knows about it save she

See save defined for English-language learners

Examples of save in a Sentence

Little is known about his early years save that he left home when he was very young.

First Known Use of save

14th century

SAVE Defined for English Language Learners

save

verb

Definition of save for English Language Learners

: to keep (someone or something) safe : to stop (someone or something) from dying or being hurt, damaged, or lost
: to stop (something) from ending or failing : to make (something that is in danger of failing) successful
: to keep (something) from being lost or wasted

save

noun

Definition of save for English Language Learners

: a play that stops an opponent from scoring a goal
baseball of a relief pitcher : the act of keeping a team's lead when replacing another pitcher at the end of a game

save

preposition

Definition of save for English Language Learners

: other than : but or except

SAVE Defined for Kids

save

verb \ ˈsāv \

Definition of save for Students

saved; saving

1 : to free or keep from danger or harm

He saved a child from drowning.

2 : to keep from being ruined : preserve

The group works to save the rain forests.

3 : to put aside for later use

Save some milk for me.

4 : to keep money instead of spending it

5 : to keep from being spent, wasted, or lost

I'm saving my energy.

6 : to make unnecessary

Shortcuts save an hour's driving.

save

preposition

Definition of save for Students

: ¹except 2

It rained every day save one.

Learn More about save

See words that rhyme with save Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for save Spanish Central: Translation of save Nglish: Translation of save for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of save for Arabic speakers

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save

Definition of save

savable

saver

Examples of save in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of save

save Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

Synonym Discussion of save

save

Definition of save

Examples of save in a Sentence

Recent Examples of save from the Web

First Known Use of save

Other Baseball Terms

save

Definition of save

Examples of save in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of save

save Synonyms

Synonyms

save

Definition of save

Examples of save in a Sentence

First Known Use of save

SAVE Defined for English Language Learners

save

Definition of save for English Language Learners

save

Definition of save for English Language Learners

save

Definition of save for English Language Learners

SAVE Defined for Kids

save

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Definition of save for Students

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