1
: the act of preserving something: such as
a
: the act of keeping something in its original state or in good condition
—often + of
preservation of the city's historical buildings
the preservation of land for wildlife
(Brit) a preservation order [=an official order by a court that makes it illegal to destroy or change a building, tree, view, etc.]
b
: the act of keeping something safe from harm or loss
wildlife preservation
—often + ofthe preservation of music programs in public schools
the preservation of cultural traditions
c
: the act of using a particular treatment on a food so that it can be eaten in the future
methods of food preservation, such as canning and freezing
2
: the degree to which something is kept safe from harm or ruin
The ancient paintings were found in a perfect state of preservation. [=they were perfectly preserved]
The buildings are in a good state of preservation.
Cite this Entry
“Preservation.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/preservation. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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