# reservation

/ˌɹɛzɝˈveɪʃən/ (US) · /ɹˌɛzəvˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reservation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. booking in advance

noun · CEFR A2

an arrangement you make to have a seat, room, or table kept for you at a specific time.

For teachers: an arrangement by which accommodation, transport, or services are secured in advance.

- I called the restaurant to make a reservation for four people at 7:00 PM.
- The hotel manager confirmed that our reservation included a complimentary breakfast and access to the executive lounge throughout our stay.

### 2. a doubt or concern

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of doubt about whether something is right or true.

For teachers: a limiting qualification or a sense of doubt regarding a proposal, person, or statement.

- I have some reservations about his plan because it seems too expensive.
- While the board approved the merger in principle, several members expressed serious reservations regarding the long-term debt obligations.

### 3. designated land

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

an area of land kept separate for a particular group of people to live on.

For teachers: a tract of land set apart by a government for the use of a specific indigenous population.

- The museum teaches visitors about the history of the people living on the reservation.
- The tribal council met to discuss water rights and land management policies within the boundaries of the reservation.

### 4. road divider

noun · CEFR C1 · British English

the strip of land or barrier that separates two sides of a major road.

For teachers: the area of land or a physical barrier separating opposing lanes of traffic on a dual carriageway or motorway.

- The car crashed into the central reservation after the tyre burst.
- Maintenance crews were deployed to repair the safety barriers along the central reservation following the multi-vehicle accident on the M4.

### 5. quota system

noun · CEFR C1 · Dialect

a system where a certain number of jobs or school places are kept for specific groups of people.

For teachers: the policy of setting aside a percentage of positions in government or education for underrepresented communities.

- The government discussed new reservation policies for university admissions.
- The supreme court reviewed the constitutionality of the reservation system intended to support historically disadvantaged castes in the civil service.

Usage: Commonly used in Indian English in the context of social justice and government policy.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to Indian English; in other regions, terms like 'affirmative action' or 'quotas' are more common.

## Examples

- I have a reservation for two people at seven o'clock.
- The manager expressed a strong reservation about the new marketing strategy, fearing it might alienate their core customers.
- While the committee approved the general framework of the treaty, several members maintained a serious reservation concerning the enforcement clauses and their impact on national sovereignty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.