What does "preserve" mean?

1. (to keep safe) to keep something safe from being damaged or destroyed. 2. (to save food) to treat food so that it stays fresh for a long time. 3. (fruit spread) a food made of fruit and sugar, similar to jam. 4. (nature area) an area of land where animals and plants are protected. 5. (exclusive activity) an activity or job that only a specific group of people can do.

How do you use "preserve"?

Often used with a direct object representing a physical site or an abstract concept like peace or tradition. Commonly used in the plural 'preserves' in American English when referring to the food product. In British English, 'reserve' is more common for this meaning.

preserve

v. · n.

US //pɹəˈzɝv// UK //pɹɪsˈɜːv// pre·serve

1 to keep safe (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to keep something safe from being damaged or destroyed.

to maintain something in its original or existing state; to protect from harm or decay.

Example

The committee is working hard to preserve the town's historic buildings.

Example

The foundation's primary mission is to preserve the fragile ecosystem of the wetlands against the encroaching threat of industrial development.

Usage

Often used with a direct object representing a physical site or an abstract concept like peace or tradition.
- destroy
- neglect
2 to save food (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

to treat food so that it stays fresh for a long time.

to treat food with a preservative, such as salt, sugar, or vinegar, to prevent decomposition.

Example

In the past, people used salt to preserve meat for the winter.

Example

Artisanal producers often preserve seasonal fruits using traditional methods that avoid artificial chemicals and excessive processing.

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3 fruit spread (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

a food made of fruit and sugar, similar to jam.

a food preparation consisting of fruit preserved with sugar; often used in the plural form.

Example

She bought a jar of strawberry preserves at the local market.

Example

The breakfast buffet featured a variety of homemade preserves, ranging from classic apricot to more exotic ginger and pear combinations.

Usage

Commonly used in the plural 'preserves' in American English when referring to the food product.
4 nature area (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Science

an area of land where animals and plants are protected.

a geographic area reserved and managed for the protection of wildlife or natural features.

Example

The hiking trail goes right through the middle of the bird preserve.

Example

The coastal preserve serves as a vital nesting ground for several endangered species of sea turtles.

Usage

In British English, 'reserve' is more common for this meaning.
5 exclusive activity (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

an activity or job that only a specific group of people can do.

a sphere of activity or interest regarded as being reserved for a particular person or group.

Example

In the past, higher education was often the preserve of the wealthy.

Example

For decades, the upper echelons of the legal profession remained the exclusive preserve of a small, socially connected elite.

Teacher's tip

This sense is often used with 'exclusive' to highlight social or professional barriers.

Origin

From Middle English preserven, from Old French preserver, from Medieval Latin prēservāre (“keep, preserve”), from Late Latin praeservāre (“guard beforehand”), from prae (“before”, adverb) + servāre (“maintain, keep”).

Word family

Verbpreserve
Nounpreservation