verb

conserve

KON-surv

verb

To use something carefully so it lasts, or to prevent it from being wasted or damaged.

"We turned off the lights to conserve electricity."

"The reserve was created to conserve the last of the wetland habitat."

noun

A thick jam-like preserve made from whole or chunked fruit.

"She spread cherry conserve on her toast."

How to Use Conserve

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo protect or save something so it doesn't run out or get ruined.

Common pairings

conserve energy conserve water conserve resources

conserved past tense, conserves plural, conserves singular

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We turned off the lights to _____ electricity.

From Old French conserver, from Latin conservare, "to keep, preserve" — com- (intensive) plus servare ("to keep watch over").

nerve serve swerve deserve observe reserve preserve