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 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

The trauma surgeon caring for David Ortiz at Mass. General Hospital is an Army veteran who has saved the lives of Boston Marathon bombing victims, police officers who’ve been shot on the job, and soldiers wounded in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. — Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, "Trauma surgeon taking care of David Ortiz has saved many lives," 13 June 2019 In 2017, three days before leaving HUD, Castro announced another premium cut that would save borrowers an additional $500. — Bill Lambrecht, ExpressNews.com, "Julián Castro draws on HUD experience as 2020 candidates pitch affordable housing plans," 13 June 2019 Stillman and Wukovits continue to speak out about the vaccine that could have saved their daughters’ lives. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "Two Meningitis B Vaccines Have Been Approved in the US. So Why Are Young People Still Dying From It?," 12 June 2019 That will be the turning point that saves your career. — Sara Delgado, Teen Vogue, "Little Mix Wrote Letters to Their Younger Selves About How Much They've Learned Since "X-Factor"," 11 June 2019 That would save money compared to building separate schools but would not keep boys and girls fully separate at all times, particularly coming to and from school. — Patrick O'donnell, cleveland.com, "Cleveland school board struggling with Tremont Montessori, single-gender schools, and possible Dike and Karamu House partnership," 10 June 2019 Despite the monster-themed fashion, the nails weren't meant to be claw-like or creepy — that aesthetic was saved for the werewolf, zombie or skeleton gloves donned by some models. — Lindsay Weinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "How Models Got Horror-Ready at Moschino's Spooky 2020 Fashion Show," 8 June 2019 Putting off a pregnancy termination to save money can also create additional problems for women. — Tara Law, Time, "Joe Biden Dropped His Support for the Hyde Amendment. Here's How It Became a Flashpoint on Abortion," 7 June 2019 But Macomb County hospital had rare medical device that saved her life More: Pregnant women at Manistee Hospital soon will need to go elsewhere to give birth Why the new name? — Emma Keith, Detroit Free Press, "Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation changes name, expands focus," 6 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Myers walked to load the bases before Giants closer Will Smith earned his second save in two nights by getting Manuel Margot to pop out. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Giants sweep bumbling Padres to lowest point of season," 13 June 2019 Nick Wittgren worked a perfect eighth and Brad Hand struck out the side in the ninth — New York's 3-4-5 hitters — for his 19th save in 19 tries. — courant.com, "Santana’s homer powers Indians past Yankees 5-2," 8 June 2019 Moronta improved to 3-5, and was followed out of the bullpen by Sam Dyson, Tony Watson and finally Will Smith for his 14th save. — Jerry Mcdonald, The Mercury News, "Giants have something to feel good about — win over Dodgers, Kershaw," 7 June 2019 Brandon Workman got three outs for his first career save. — Ken Powtak, The Seattle Times, "Chavis homers, Red Sox snap Astros’ 10-game win streak," 20 May 2019 In the ninth, Peralta worked around a two-out single for his first career save. — Sam Mcdowell, kansascity, "Brad Keller's best outing of rookie year provides Royals a respite from brutal June," 25 June 2018 Kyle Barraclough worked the ninth for his seventh save. — Clark Spencer, miamiherald, "Marlins cap off winning trip but lose another pitcher in the process," 24 June 2018 And then Joe Jimenez, on the mound in the ninth inning with a slim lead for the first time this season, shut downthe Blue Jays for his first career save. — Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers rally behind the goose to pick up fourth straight win," 2 June 2018 Omaha scored a run in the fifth and seventh innings and Severino Gonzalez pitched the final two innings for his third save. — Tim Grubbs, NOLA.com, "'Cakes make it four in a row, JT Riddle and Trevor Richards lead the way," 6 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Preposition

Facing the middle of the Phillies lineup in the bottom of the ninth inning, Reds closer Raisel Iglesias earned his 13th save of the season. — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Reds avoid being swept by Philadelphia Phillies with hits from Votto, Suárez," 9 June 2019 Juve did their utmost to turn the tide, and Handanovic had to make a smart low save against Costa and a brilliant stop from substitute Paulo Dybala's fine free kick. — SI.com, "Juventus Comes Back From 2-1 Deficit to Beat 10-Man Inter," 28 Apr. 2018 Never include the gift registry on the wedding save the date or invitation. — Myka Meier, Harper's BAZAAR, "All Your Wedding Etiquette Questions Asked & Answered," 31 Oct. 2018 Attention to the little things helped transform Holtby into one of the NHL’s sturdiest netminders under Korn, the ‘15-16 Vezina Trophy winner whose .929 career playoff save percentage ranks second all-time among anyone with at least 30 starts. — Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "Learning to Deal With the Little Things Has Capitals' Braden Holtby on the Verge of a Stanley Cup," 5 June 2018 All three series ended with stingy defensive performances on the road, anchored by goalie and Conn Smythe favorite Marc-André Fleury (.947 playoff save percentage entering the finals). — Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "How the Roster Decisions of Golden Knights GM George McPhee Color the Stanley Cup Final," 28 May 2018 Another long reliever pulled into save duty, Devenski has a pair of saves this week. — Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, "Fantasy baseball waiver wire: Josh Hader, Chris Devenski step up for saves," 20 Apr. 2018 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

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.