saved; saving
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 (such as a CD or flash drive)
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
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
saver
noun
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
Synonyms
Example Sentences
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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Andi Breitowich, womenshealthmag.com, 18 May 2023
Thousand also offers a free accident replacement policy, so save your receipt.
—goodhousekeeping.com, 18 May 2023
Jimenez saved her home, but the trauma from the experience continues, her daughter said.
—Propublica, Dallas News, 18 May 2023
ProPublica quoted an expert who developed PXDX as saying the system had saved that much money.
—Patrick Rucker, ProPublica, 16 May 2023
Forty-nine percent of consumers in 2023 are looking for snacks in multiple packs, up 8% a year ago, for various reasons like saving money and controlling intake portions, according to Circana.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 15 May 2023
Purchasing an artificial fiddle leaf fig saves you from the hassle while providing you with the beauty of a real one.
—Michelle Love, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2023
His late-game shooting saved Boston in Game 6, and his dominant, MVP-like performance Sunday backed up his All-NBA selection and classification as one of the league’s best players.
—Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 14 May 2023
Some Democrats are fighting to save stations that often are the only live source of local information during extreme weather, as well as outlets that target immigrant audiences.
—Marc Fisher, Anchorage Daily News, 14 May 2023
Olivia Nolan, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2023
Mimi Smith was credited with three saves through timed play, but gave up four goals during the shootout.
—Evan Dudley, al, 13 May 2023
Houston midfielder Joelle Anderson got on top of a loose ball and put it in the net with Bixby having just made a save on the other side of the frame.
—oregonlive, 13 May 2023
But Oettinger made some respectable saves along the way to giving himself a 23-2-3 record after losses, dating back to the start of the Calgary playoff last spring.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas News, 10 May 2023
Sophomore goalie Alex Swartz was sensational with 13 saves, including eight in a first half that ended tied at 1.
—Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2023
Besides Meier, Nico Hischier and Damon Severson added their first goals of playoffs and Vitek Vanecek returned to the net and made 26 saves and even had an assist on Miles Wood's third-period breakaway.
—Tom Canavan, ajc, 8 May 2023
Fraley’s clutch double gave the Reds their first lead of the afternoon and closer Alexis Díaz earned his fourth save of the season by striking out the side to secure a 3-2 comeback win at the Oakland Coliseum.
—Bobby Nightengale, The Enquirer, 29 Apr. 2023
Barkov, Brandon Montour, Zac Dalpe and Sam Reinhart also scored for the Panthers, who got 30 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky.
—Tim Reynolds, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2023
Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Oct. 2020
As of Sunday, all other airlines have already ended their flights to mainland China from SFO, which normally has more departures to China than any other U.S. airport save Los Angeles International.
—Mallory Moench, SFChronicle.com, 12 Feb. 2020
But all the candidates save Sanders were in Selma on Thursday to mark the 55th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
—Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 4 Mar. 2020
Rask’s career road save percentage of .936 in the postseason is the best since 1955-56, when shots on goal became an official NHL statistic. .
—Scott Thurston, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2019
In the hallway, shelves under the ceiling save space, and there are hooks on the wall for hanging skateboards.
—Ilya Khrennikov, Bloomberg.com, 24 Mar. 2020
No part of the offense, save perhaps the running game in the second half, deserved praise following the Colts’ ugly 20-17 loss in Houston.
—Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, 24 Nov. 2019
Currently in his 11th NHL season with a career save percentage of .915 over 481 starts.
—Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post, 8 Dec. 2019
For 39 days, three players will have been locked into a game that has no pause button or reset button — no save points or checkpoints.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2019
See More
Verb
In addition to the versatility, adjustable dumbbells save a ton of space in your home.
—Andi Breitowich, womenshealthmag.com, 18 May 2023
Thousand also offers a free accident replacement policy, so save your receipt.
—goodhousekeeping.com, 18 May 2023
Jimenez saved her home, but the trauma from the experience continues, her daughter said.
—Propublica, Dallas News, 18 May 2023
ProPublica quoted an expert who developed PXDX as saying the system had saved that much money.
—Patrick Rucker, ProPublica, 16 May 2023
Forty-nine percent of consumers in 2023 are looking for snacks in multiple packs, up 8% a year ago, for various reasons like saving money and controlling intake portions, according to Circana.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 15 May 2023
Purchasing an artificial fiddle leaf fig saves you from the hassle while providing you with the beauty of a real one.
—Michelle Love, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2023
His late-game shooting saved Boston in Game 6, and his dominant, MVP-like performance Sunday backed up his All-NBA selection and classification as one of the league’s best players.
—Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 14 May 2023
Some Democrats are fighting to save stations that often are the only live source of local information during extreme weather, as well as outlets that target immigrant audiences.
—Marc Fisher, Anchorage Daily News, 14 May 2023
Noun
Keira Bushey, Haverhill — With 12 saves, the junior goaltender was the game changer as the Hillies secured a 14-3 nonleague win over Triton.
—Olivia Nolan, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2023
Mimi Smith was credited with three saves through timed play, but gave up four goals during the shootout.
—Evan Dudley, al, 13 May 2023
Houston midfielder Joelle Anderson got on top of a loose ball and put it in the net with Bixby having just made a save on the other side of the frame.
—oregonlive, 13 May 2023
But Oettinger made some respectable saves along the way to giving himself a 23-2-3 record after losses, dating back to the start of the Calgary playoff last spring.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas News, 10 May 2023
Sophomore goalie Alex Swartz was sensational with 13 saves, including eight in a first half that ended tied at 1.
—Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2023
Besides Meier, Nico Hischier and Damon Severson added their first goals of playoffs and Vitek Vanecek returned to the net and made 26 saves and even had an assist on Miles Wood's third-period breakaway.
—Tom Canavan, ajc, 8 May 2023
Fraley’s clutch double gave the Reds their first lead of the afternoon and closer Alexis Díaz earned his fourth save of the season by striking out the side to secure a 3-2 comeback win at the Oakland Coliseum.
—Bobby Nightengale, The Enquirer, 29 Apr. 2023
Barkov, Brandon Montour, Zac Dalpe and Sam Reinhart also scored for the Panthers, who got 30 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky.
—Tim Reynolds, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2023
Preposition
Particularly this year, with COVID-19, there are no gatherings to attend save a bonfire or a socially distant hike now and then.
—Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Oct. 2020
As of Sunday, all other airlines have already ended their flights to mainland China from SFO, which normally has more departures to China than any other U.S. airport save Los Angeles International.
—Mallory Moench, SFChronicle.com, 12 Feb. 2020
But all the candidates save Sanders were in Selma on Thursday to mark the 55th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
—Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 4 Mar. 2020
Rask’s career road save percentage of .936 in the postseason is the best since 1955-56, when shots on goal became an official NHL statistic. .
—Scott Thurston, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2019
In the hallway, shelves under the ceiling save space, and there are hooks on the wall for hanging skateboards.
—Ilya Khrennikov, Bloomberg.com, 24 Mar. 2020
No part of the offense, save perhaps the running game in the second half, deserved praise following the Colts’ ugly 20-17 loss in Houston.
—Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, 24 Nov. 2019
Currently in his 11th NHL season with a career save percentage of .915 over 481 starts.
—Kyle Fredrickson, The Denver Post, 8 Dec. 2019
For 39 days, three players will have been locked into a game that has no pause button or reset button — no save points or checkpoints.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2019
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'save.' 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 Anglo-French salver, from Late Latin salvare, from Latin salvus safe — more at safe
Preposition
Middle English sauf, from Anglo-French sauve, from sauf, adjective, safe — more at safe
First Known Use
Verb
13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Preposition
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Conjunction
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of save was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing save
Dictionary Entries Near save
Cite this Entry
“Save.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/save. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
save
1 of 3 verb
saved; saving
1
a
: to deliver from sin
b
: to rescue or deliver from danger or harm
saved his friend from drowning
c
: to keep from injury, destruction, waste, or loss
save the coat from damage by moths
d
: to store (data) in a computer or on a storage device (as a flash drive)
2
a
: to put aside for future use
save a little for later
b
: to put aside money
saved up for a new bike
3
a
: to make unnecessary : avoid
it will save your having to go back again
b
: to keep from being lost to an opponent
saved the game
4
a
: to avoid unnecessary waste or expense : economize
save on heat
b
: to spend less money
buy now and save
c
: to spend less by
save 25 percent
saver
noun
save
2 of 3 noun1
: 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
3 of 3 preposition
: except entry 1 sense 2
no hope save one
Etymology
Verb
Middle English saven "to deliver from sin," from early French salver (same meaning), from Latin salvare "to save," from earlier salvus "safe, healthy" — related to safe, sage entry 3
More from Merriam-Webster on save
Nglish: Translation of save for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of save for Arabic Speakers
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