treasure

1 of 2

noun

trea·​sure ˈtre-zhər  ˈtrā- 

1

a(1)

: wealth (such as money, jewels, or precious metals) stored up or hoarded

buried treasure

(2)

: wealth of any kind or in any form : riches

b

: a store of money in reserve

2

: something of great worth or value

also : a person esteemed as rare or precious

3

: a collection of precious things

treasure

2 of 2

verb

treasured; treasuring ˈtre-zh(ə-)riŋ 

ˈtrā-

transitive verb

1

: to hold or keep as precious : cherish, prize

she treasured those memories

2

: to collect and store up (something of value) for future use : hoard

Synonyms

Noun

• jewel
• trophy

Verb

• value
• love
• appreciate
• enjoy
• cherish

Choose the Right Synonym for treasure

appreciate, value, prize, treasure, cherish mean to hold in high estimation.

appreciate often connotes sufficient understanding to enjoy or admire a thing's excellence.

appreciates fine wine

value implies rating a thing highly for its intrinsic worth.

values our friendship

prize implies taking a deep pride in something one possesses.

Americans prize their freedom

treasure emphasizes jealously safeguarding something considered precious.

a treasured memento

cherish implies a special love and care for something.

cherishes her children above all

Examples of treasure in a Sentence

Noun

a legend about the pirates' buried treasure

Central Park is one of New York City's many treasures.

Grandmother's nurse has been a real treasure.

Verb

He treasures that autographed baseball.

My grandmother's ring is my most treasured possession.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ensconced in a historic palazzo in the city’s San Frediano neighborhood—long a haven for artisans—Moleria Locchi earned its reputation in the 1800s for painstakingly restoring glass and crystal treasures ranging from antique goblets to Murano candelabras. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025

After selling out two years in a row, the coveted Advent calendar returns with full-size treasures and a new design. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025

Verb

Very little of her work is available on any streaming platform, so the opportunity to catch her leading the orchestra live is an opportunity to be treasured. —Duante Beddingfield, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025

The sweeping diagnosis includes everyone from people who treasure their neurological differences to those with debilitating symptoms, including repetitive behaviors, excruciating sensitivity to touch and sounds, and difficulty responding to social situations. —Sharon Lerner, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tresor, from Anglo-French, from Latin thesaurus — more at thesaurus

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing treasure

• national treasure
• treasure chest
• treasure house
• treasure hunt
• treasure trove

Rhymes for treasure

• leisure
• measure
• pleasure
• countermeasure
• displeasure

Kids Definition

treasure

1 of 2 noun

trea·​sure ˈtrezh-ər  ˈtrāzh- 

1

: wealth (as money, jewels, or precious metals) stored up or held in reserve

2

: someone or something that is valued highly

treasure

2 of 2 verb

treasured; treasuring -(ə-)riŋ 

: to value highly : cherish

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tresor "treasure," from early French tresor (same meaning), from Latin thesaurus "treasure, collection" — related to thesaurus

Legal Definition

treasure

noun

trea·​sure

: personal property that is hidden in something else for an extended period and whose owner cannot be determined