save

verb

\ˈsāv

saved; saving

Definition of save

(Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : 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 (such as a CD or flash drive) save a file Remember to save your work frequently.

2a : to put aside as a store or reserve : accumulate saving money for emergencies

b : to spend less by save 25 percent

3a : 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

2a : to put aside money

b : to avoid unnecessary waste or expense : economize

c : to spend less money

3 : to make a save

save

noun

Definition of save (Entry 2 of 4)

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

save

preposition

Definition of save (Entry 3 of 4)

: other than : but, except no hope save one

save

conjunction

Definition of save (Entry 4 of 4)

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

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

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Choose the Right Synonym for save

Verb

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

Examples of save in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

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

Preposition

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

Conjunction

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Amazon reportedly plans to start selling software that can read medical records and make suggestions for improving treatment or saving money, according to The Wall Street Journal. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "Amazon will reportedly sell software that reads medical records," 27 Nov. 2018 Getting better data from the factory floor can help reduce waste and save money. — Mike Cherney, WSJ, "Your Snack’s Crunch Is Cloud-Verified," 24 Nov. 2018 Advocates respond that similar restrictions aren’t imposed on other diseases, and that treatment may well save society money over the long run by avoiding other costs. — Ricardo Alonso-zaldivar, The Seattle Times, "More leeway for states to expand inpatient mental health," 13 Nov. 2018 Sources: Factset and company reports The smaller-store footprint, an experiment now under way at four locations, is intended to save money on staffing and inventory, while improving the chain’s sometimes lackluster shopping experience. — Suzanne Kapner, WSJ, "Macy’s Radical Plan to Save Itself: Shrink," 12 Nov. 2018 By producing solid-rocket booster segments for the Space Launch System rocket, and for the Omega rocket, Northrop says both launchers will save money. — Eric Berger, Ars Technica, "Rocket Report: Kazakhstan picks SpaceX, SLS cost savings, Minuteman test," 9 Nov. 2018 The problem is the Congressional Budget Office doesn’t think Medicare negotiations would save any money unless the government is willing to deny seniors coverage for certain medications. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "What the new Democratic House majority might actually pass on health care," 7 Nov. 2018 Professor Anderson says poll closures might seem like a routine practice that is saving taxpayers money, but closures can have a big effect on minority voters. — Jewel Wicker, Teen Vogue, "Voter Suppression in the 2018 Midterms," 29 Oct. 2018 The Guild has studio apartments, and one- and two-bedroom units, which are perfect for larger families looking to save money, long-term business travelers, and groups of friends. — Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Guild Is Putting Luxury Hotel Rooms in Apartment Buildings," 9 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Two, however, were eligible for a save: one from fans, and another from the judges. — Temi Adebowale, Country Living, "'America's Got Talent' Fans Are Not Happy About the Judges Saving Magician Aaron Crow," 30 Aug. 2018 France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris produced a great save in each half, denying the potent Belgian attack of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku the chance to advance the country to its first major final. — Steve Douglas, Fox News, "France advances to World Cup final, beats Belgium 1-0," 10 July 2018 Hector Rondon struck out two batters for a strong seventh save. — Hunter Atkins, Houston Chronicle, "Marwin Gonzalez's squeeze bunt helps Astros fend off White Sox," 9 July 2018 Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman turned to closer Raisel Iglesias for a five-out save. — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Tyler Mahle pitches well again, Raisel Iglesias holds off Cubs in Cincinnati Reds win," 6 July 2018 The Paris Saint-Germain star dribbled past Edson Álvarez and Hugo Ayala before forcing El Tri's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa into a smart save. — Ben Carter, Pro Soccer USA, "Brazil 2-0 Mexico: Neymar strike sends Seleção through, spirited El Tri dumped from World Cup," 2 July 2018 McCarthy and Peralta have never recorded a major-league save. — Sam Mcdowell, kansascity, "After trading Kelvin Herrera, who will the Royals use as their new closer?," 19 June 2018 Last episode, Kameron knocked out Miz Cracker's NYC sister Monét X Change, and in the one prior, she was granted a double-save after delivering an iconic performance with Eureka O'Hara. — Patrick Crowley, Billboard, "'RuPaul's Drag Race': Fans React to Top 5 Elimination Shocker," 7 June 2018 Closer Brad Brach continued his midseason turnaround with a second save in as many games in Wednesday's 1-0 Orioles win against the New York Mets, increasing his string of outings without allowing an earned to 11. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles' Brad Brach continues resurgence with back-to-back saves against Mets," 6 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition

Diaz allowed a pair of singles in his outing, but notched his 42nd save of the season. — Ryan Divish, The Seattle Times, "Mariners improve to 9-1 in extra innings, beating Texas 4-3 on a Ryon Healy hit," 6 Aug. 2018 Doolittle converted 21 of 22 save chances with the Nats and Madson was excellent as a setup man (1.37 ERA, 0.81 WHIP). — Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, "Nationals have a wealth of elite fantasy options," 15 Feb. 2018 Edwin Diaz made the one-run lead hold up with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 21st save of the season. — Ryan Divish, The Seattle Times, "You can’t stop these guys: Red-hot Mariners rally to sweep Rays, now 15 games over .500," 4 June 2018 Saturday marked Andersen’s second 40-plus save performance of the series, the other coming in the Leaf’s 4-2 win in Game 3. — Tyler Horka, SI.com, "Stanley Cup Playoffs Roundup: Toronto Stops Late Surge From Boston to Force Game 6," 21 Apr. 2018 The righty has a 1.38 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 26 innings and has received four of the Astros’ last five save chances, converting them all. — Jon Tayler, SI.com, "The Houston Astros Are Only Getting Better," 19 June 2018 Greene has converted 19 of 22 save chances this season. — Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, "Trade deadline countdown has fantasy owners looking for this year's J.D. Martinez," 27 June 2018 The 82-year-old has been helping to improve Belle Isle, save Eastern Market, ease racial tensions by giving young people something to do with Metro Detroit Youth Day. — Carol Cain, Detroit Free Press, "This Detroiter's path leads directly to a Belle Isle honor," 6 July 2018 For years, the semiconductor world seemed to have settled into a quiet balance: Intel vanquished virtually all of the RISC processors in the server world, save IBM’s POWER line. — Andy Patrizio, Ars Technica, "The AI revolution has spawned a new chips arms race," 9 July 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.