noun B1 Intermediate Common

reservation

rehz-VAY-shuhn

Reservation (noun) means a booking made in advance for a table, room, seat, or similar. Example: “We made a dinner reservation for eight o'clock.”

noun

A booking made in advance for a table, room, seat, or similar.

"We made a dinner reservation for eight o'clock."

"The hotel confirmed our reservation by email."

A doubt or concern that makes you hesitant, even while broadly agreeing with something.

"I have some reservations about the new schedule."

"Despite her reservations, she signed the contract."

An area of land set aside for a Native American people or, in some countries, an Aboriginal community.

"He grew up on a reservation in Arizona."

How to Use Reservation

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a booking you've arranged ahead of time, or a lingering doubt that stops you fully committing to something.

Common pairings

make a reservation have reservations about cancel a reservation

Word Forms

reservations plural

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We made a dinner _____ for eight o'clock.

Etymology

From French reservation, built from "reserve" plus the noun ending "-ation".

Origin: French

Synonyms

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booking misgiving qualm hesitation doubt reserve

Related Words

believe hold doubt stock fund reserve register appointment

Rhymes for reservation

region ablation allusion emulsion ideation novation abortion abrasion diffusion elocution extension oxidation

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “reservation” mean?

The word “reservation” means a booking made in advance for a table, room, seat, or similar. In plain terms, either a booking you've arranged ahead of time, or a lingering doubt that stops you fully committing to something.

How do you pronounce “reservation”?

“Reservation” is pronounced rehz-VAY-shuhn (/ˌɹɛz.ɚˈveɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “reservation” in a sentence?

Here is “reservation” used in a sentence: “We made a dinner reservation for eight o'clock.”

What part of speech is “reservation”?

“Reservation” is a noun.

Where does the word “reservation” come from?

The word “reservation” comes from French. From French reservation, built from "reserve" plus the noun ending "-ation".

Is “reservation” a common word?

“Reservation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “reservation” have?

“Reservation” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a booking made in advance for a table, room, seat, or similar.

What is the difference between a reservation and a booking?

In American English, "reservation" is the usual word for arranging a table, room, or seat in advance, while British English often prefers "booking." They mean the same thing, though "reservation" is especially common for restaurants and hotels.

What is the difference between a reservation and a reserve?

In the United States, a reservation is an area of land set aside for a Native American people, while in some other countries the equivalent is called a "reserve" — in Canada, for example. "Reservation" can also mean a booking or a doubt, senses "reserve" does not share.

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