self-preservation

noun

self-pres·​er·​va·​tion ˌself-ˌpre-zər-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce self-preservation (audio)
1
: preservation of oneself from destruction or harm
2
: a natural or instinctive tendency to act so as to preserve one's own existence

Examples of self-preservation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Legacy shipping companies are often focused on short-term profitability and self-preservation rather than long-term advancement. Itamar Zur, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 Yet while Gray today is more about self-preservation than the wild nights of years past, Louder, Please is also, at points, a bracingly candid record, offering a diaristic account of the past few years of her life. Liam Hess, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2024 Lina Khatib, an expert on the Middle East at London think tank Chatham House, noted recently that Hezbollah’s fight with Israel may not ultimately be about helping Palestinians, or even Hamas, but about self-preservation. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 17 Sep. 2024 Ultimately, the film is a swan song for the ages, touching upon issues of self-preservation and sacrifice, confronting our darkest fears (or a lack thereof), and survival of the fittest — or in this somber depiction — the powerful and wealthy. Tiffany Leigh, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for self-preservation 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-preservation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-preservation was circa 1614

Dictionary Entries Near self-preservation

Cite this Entry

“Self-preservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-preservation. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-preservation

noun
self-pres·​er·​va·​tion
ˌself-ˌprez-ər-ˈvā-shən
: the keeping of oneself from destruction or harm
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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