preserve

[pri-zurv]

verb (used with object)

preserved, preserving 

1. to keep alive or in existence; make lasting.

   to preserve our liberties as free citizens.

   Synonyms: conserve
   Antonyms: destroy

2. to keep safe from harm or injury; protect or spare.

   Synonyms: shield, shelter, safeguard

3. to keep up; maintain.

   to preserve historical monuments.

   Synonyms: sustain, keep up, continue

4. to keep possession of; retain.

   to preserve one's composure.

5. to prepare (food or any perishable substance) so as to resist decomposition or fermentation.

6. to prepare (fruit, vegetables, etc.) by cooking with sugar, pickling, canning, or the like.

7. to maintain and reserve (game, fish, etc.) for continued survival or for private use, as in hunting or fishing.

verb (used without object)

preserved, preserving 

1. to preserve fruit, vegetables, etc.; make preserves.

2. to maintain a preserve for game or fish, especially for sport.

noun

1. something that preserves.

2. that which is preserved.

3. Usually preserves. fruit, vegetables, etc., prepared by cooking with sugar.

4. a place set apart for protection and propagation of game or fish, especially for sport.

preserve

/ ˌprɛzəˈveɪʃən, prɪˈzɜːv /

verb

1. to keep safe from danger or harm; protect

2. to protect from decay or dissolution; maintain

   to preserve old buildings

3. to maintain possession of; keep up

   to preserve a façade of indifference

4. to prevent from decomposition or chemical change

5. to prepare (food), as by freezing, drying, or salting, so that it will resist decomposition

6. to make preserves of (fruit, etc)

7. to rear and protect (game) in restricted places for hunting or fishing

8. (intr) to maintain protection and favourable conditions for game in preserves

noun

1. something that preserves or is preserved

2. a special area or domain

   archaeology is the preserve of specialists

3. (usually plural) fruit, etc, prepared by cooking with sugar

4. areas where game is reared for private hunting or fishing

Other Word Forms

• preserver noun
• preservably adverb
• preservability noun
• preservation noun
• preservable adjective
• nonpreservable adjective
• unpreservable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preserve¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English preserven, from Medieval Latin praeservāre “to guard” ( Late Latin: “to observe”), equivalent to Latin prae- prefix meaning “before, prior to, in advance” ( pre- ) + servāre “to watch over, keep, preserve, observe”

Word History and Origins

Origin of preserve¹

C14: via Old French, from Late Latin praeservāre literally: to keep safe in advance, from Latin prae- before + servāre to keep safe

Synonym Study

See defend.

Example Sentences

Criminal damage to listed buildings is on the increase, the body which preserves and protects Welsh heritage has said.

From BBC

Banowsky’s documentary arrives at a pivotal moment in the fight to preserve honest journalism.

From Salon

She said the section would be preserved in Historic England's National Wood Collection to be "kept safe for the nation".

From BBC

In the study, the researchers wrote that “while efforts to slow climate change may be sputtering,” people urgently need to take steps to preserve groundwater.

From Los Angeles Times

And there is not much room to grow, since more than 80% of the county’s land is under state or federal control, mostly as parks, national forests or wildlife preserves.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conserve 
• defend 
• freeze 
• keep 
• perpetuate 
• protect 
• retain 
• safeguard 
• save 
• secure 
• store 
• sustain 
• uphold