preserve
pruh-ZURV
Preserve (verb) means to keep something safe from harm, damage, or decay. Example: “Volunteers are working to preserve the coastal path before the cliffs wear away.”
verb
1
To keep something safe from harm, damage, or decay.
"Volunteers are working to preserve the coastal path before the cliffs wear away."
"They worked hard to preserve the old building from demolition."
"Salt was traditionally used to preserve meat."
noun
1
A sweet spread made by cooking fruit with sugar.
"My aunt makes plum preserve every autumn and gives a jar to each neighbour."
"Would you like some raspberry preserve with your scone?"
"She spread strawberry preserve on her toast."
2
An area set aside to protect wildlife or a particular activity.
"Rangers patrol the game preserve to keep the animals safe from poachers."
"The valley is now a private preserve where visitors must stay on the paths."
"The land was turned into a nature preserve."
How to use preserve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo protect something from damage or decay, or (as a noun) a fruit spread or a protected area.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
preserve the environment
strawberry preserves
nature preserve
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Word forms
- Plural
- preserves
- Third person singular
- preserves
- Past tense
- preserved
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Volunteers are working to _____ the coastal path before the cliffs wear away.
Etymology
From Old French preserver, ultimately from Latin prae- ("before") and servare ("to keep, guard") — literally "to guard beforehand."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for preserve
See all rhymes for preserve →Frequently asked questions
What does “preserve” mean?
The word “preserve” means to keep something safe from harm, damage, or decay. In plain terms, to protect something from damage or decay, or (as a noun) a fruit spread or a protected area.
How do you pronounce “preserve”?
“Preserve” is pronounced pruh-ZURV (/pɹəˈzɝv/ in IPA).
How do you use “preserve” in a sentence?
Here is “preserve” used in a sentence: “They worked hard to preserve the old building from demolition.”
What part of speech is “preserve”?
Depending on how it is used, “preserve” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “preserve” come from?
The word “preserve” comes from Latin. From Old French preserver, ultimately from Latin prae- ("before") and servare ("to keep, guard") — literally "to guard beforehand.".
Is “preserve” a common word?
“Preserve” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “preserve” have?
“Preserve” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to keep something safe from harm, damage, or decay.
What is the difference between 'preserve' and 'conserve'?
To preserve something is to keep it safe from harm, damage, or decay and maintain it as it is. To conserve is to use something carefully so it is not wasted or used up, so you preserve a historic building but conserve water or energy.
What is the difference between 'preserves' and 'jam'?
Preserves are made by cooking fruit with sugar and typically contain larger chunks or whole pieces of fruit. Jam is generally made from crushed or chopped fruit, giving it a smoother, more uniform texture.
What is the difference between 'preserve' and 'protect'?
To protect something is to shield it from immediate harm or danger. To preserve something is to keep it in its existing state over time, so protection guards against threats while preservation maintains condition and prevents decay.
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